HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced felony charges against a Blair County man for having sexual contact with an 8-year-old boy, and for creating and possessing child pornography of the incident, as well as other illicit images.
Bradley Beck, 20, of North 5th Avenue, Altoona, was arrested and charged with the sexual abuse of children, possessing and disseminating child pornography, indecent assault and other offenses.
“The charges are deeply disturbing,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “I have a zero tolerance policy for the sexual abuse of children and my office will prosecute any offender to the fullest extent of the law, including this defendant.”
This investigation began last April when the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section received a tip from a technology company through the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, reporting an Internet user had uploaded an image of child pornography through their service. An investigation determined the computer uploading the child pornography was registered to an address on North 5th Street in Altoona.
Attorney General’s agents working with Altoona police officers searched the 5th Street home this week, and discovered at least 16 image or video files of child pornography on Bradley Beck’s iPhone. One of the video files discovered showed Beck having sexual contact with an 8-year-old boy. Pornographic images of a younger boy were also discovered on Beck’s phone. The investigation is active and ongoing, and the parents of the two boys have been notified of the investigation.
Beck was arraigned on the charges Monday night, and bail was set at $50,000, pending a preliminary hearing on March 14. The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones.
Suspected child predators can be reported by calling the Attorney General’s 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.
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