HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a Northampton man for indecent assault and possession of numerous videos and photos depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to an investigation by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section, 21-year-old Patrick Werkiser used those photos to solicit money in online chat rooms, where he posted as a young girl.
In all, Werkiser is charged with 40 felony counts of child sexual abuse material, as well as felony counts of corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility, and misdemeanor indecent assault of a pre-teenage child.
He is being held on $250,000 cash bail.
“This defendant frequented the dark corners of the internet to accumulate heinous materials, which he offered in exchange for cash — but our agents were watching, and he is now facing very serious charges,” Attorney General Sunday said.
Agents executed a search warrant earlier this month at Werkiser’s home on Whitney Avenue in Easton.
The investigation is ongoing.
The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Mary Phillips of the Child Predator Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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