HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against an Erie County man for possessing at least 50 files of child sexual abuse material.
Paul G. Chimenti, 74, of Erie, was arrested this week and charged with 50 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. His bail was set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 1.
“No one has the right to exploit or abuse a child, and our Child Predator Section is committed to proactively seeking out offenders who possess and view these vile materials,” Attorney General Sunday said.
The investigation began with a tip indicating that a person — later identified as Chimenti — had viewed, accessed, or uploaded child sexual abuse material.
Office of Attorney General agents executed a search warrant on Chimenti’s residence and seized electronic devices. After further examination, the devices contained at least 50 files of apparent child sexual abuse material, with a majority of those files depicting children under the age of 10 years.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Angela Raver. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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