After receiving a tip, authorities investigated and charged a Mahanoy City man for downloading and trading child pornography.According to court documents, Christopher Baker, 53, of 128 West Mahanoy Street, Mahanoy City, was charged by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office with sexual abuse of children (in relation to child pornography) and criminal use of a communications facility.
After receiving a tip through CyberTipline, authorities investigated and found that images and video of child pornography had been downloaded, viewed, and sent from 128 West Mahanoy Street, Mahanoy City.
On October 2nd, 2019, authorities obtained a search warrant through Magisterial District Judge Kilker's office
On October 3rd, 2019 the warrant was executed at the address, and Baker was home at the time.
During the warrant search, Baker was questioned admitted to downloading the images and videos, stored them on cloud accounts, and also traded videos through chat rooms.
Baker also told authorities he used his son's name to create accounts and make purchases.
While investigating at the home, more child pornography was found on Baker's cell phone.
Baker was taken into custody and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale who set bail at $350,000 straight cash and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison.
A preliminary hearing is set for October 17, 2019 before Magisterial District Judge Kilker.