ALBANY - A Colonie man who fuels planes at Albany International Airport is accused of using an airport computer to download child pornography. John A. Ford, 53, was arraigned on a felony charge of possession of a sexual performance by a child in Colonie Town Court on Thursday, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Department.

A sergeant with the Sheriff's Department assigned to the airport initiated the investigation after conducting a security check at the Million Air terminal for private aircraft, according to the department. The sergeant noticed that Ford quickly closed several computer screens that appeared to show images of young children when the officer made a stop at the Million Air pilots' lounge. The Sheriff's Criminal Investigations unit followed up, with cooperation from the Albany County Airport Authority and Million Air, the operator of the private aviation facility.

Several photos of young boys and girls engaged in sexual acts were found on the computer, according to the Sheriff's Department. The department described the images as apparently from Internet sites maintained outside the United States, including Russia.

Ford, who was taken to Albany County Jail after his arraignment, has worked as a lineman at the airport for 21 years, according to the Sheriff's Department.