Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a Schuylkill County man will serve 16½ to 33 years in prison for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material on multiple social media platforms.
Joshua Warfel, 36, pleaded guilty in February to dozens of felony counts regarding charges filed by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
On Monday, Schuylkill County Judge William L.J. Burke ordered the prison term, as well as a requirement that Warfel register as a sex offender for 25 years.
“This convicted sex offender perpetuated abuse against a child each time he intentionally shared vile videos online,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend my team for a proactive investigation that put a stop to this harmful file-sharing. We hope this significant prison term is a deterrent for others who think this conduct is a victimless crime — it is far from it.”
Investigators determined that Warfel was sharing the illegal materials on Facebook, Instagram, and KIK platforms. A search warrant executed at Warfel’s home in Tamaqua resulted in the seizure of electronic devices containing child sexual abuse materials.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella of the Child Predator Section.