Former Philadelphia Area Camp Counselor Indicted on Charges of Child Pornography

A former Friends’ Central camp counselor was recently indicted on charges of distributing child pornography. The defendant was under FBI investigation for three months prior to being arrested earlier this month. The FBI used an undercover agent, posing as the mother of a thirteen year old girl, as part of their investigation. In the complaint, it is alleged that the defendant told the agent he had aspirations of becoming a teacher and that his being around little girls would be a “fringe benefit”.

The defendant allegedly told authorities that he began looking and naked pictures of underage girls a few years ago and would use chat rooms to meet people with similar interests. He would allegedly trade pictures with the people he met online as well. The complaint further alleges that when he was 18-years old, he touched a child as he was helping her change into her swimsuit; he described the touching as “a great feel”. Authorities claim to have found over 100 images of child pornography on the defendant’s computer; the girls ranging in age from five to thirteen.

He has been held without bail since his arrest earlier this month. If convicted on the most serious counts of child pornography, he faces a mandatory five years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of twenty years.

Child Pornography

Federal Law defines child pornography as “a visual depiction of any kind, including a drawing, cartoon, sculpture, or painting, photograph, film, video, or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where it a) depicts a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and is obscene, or b) depicts an image that is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in graphic bestiality, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex, and such depiction lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.” Possessing, Making, and Distributing child pornography is illegal in all 50 states, including Pennsylvania, and it is an offense which carries serious legal penalties.

If you have been arrested and charged with owning, making, or distributing child pornography, the Law Offices of Marc Neff can help. There are defenses which are available to you. Contact the Law Offices of Marc Neff immediately.