Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Locust Dale Man Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday criminal charges against a Columbia County man for the distribution of child pornography.

Kenneth Lee Wehry, 64, of Locustdale, was arrested on July 14th, 2017 on 45 counts of Sexual Abuse of Children and 1 count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.

During an online internet investigation aimed at identifying those possessing and sharing child pornography investigators located a computer that was sharing files of suspected child pornography was located. After a search of Wehry’s residence, it was revealed the defendant was in the possession of the computer sharing child pornography.

“Thanks to the hard work of the agents and prosecutors in our Child Predator Section, one more predator is off our streets,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “We are working relentlessly to get every predator out of our communities and keep Pennsylvania’s children safe.”

The case was referred to our office by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, who began the investigation on April 18, 2017.

Bail was set at $250,000 and a preliminary hearing date is scheduled for July 25, 2017 at 2:00pm. This case will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

Suspected child predators can be reported by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Individuals who suspect an online predator or abuse can also send anonymous tips by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.