HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a Luzerne County man who possessed more than 50 files of child sexual abuse material.
James Alpaugh, 35, of Wilkes-Barre Township, was recently arrested and charged with multiple felony counts of sexual abuse of children and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Alpaugh’s bail was set to $25,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 27.
The investigation revealed that Alpaugh was sending and receiving videos containing child sexual abuse material through the social media application, Kik.
“It is deeply concerning to see a social media platform primarily accessed by children being used as a device to abuse and exploit kids,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Our Child Predator Section will continue pursuing these offenders with every resource available to ensure children are protected and offenders are held accountable.”
As part of the investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Alpaugh’s home on Summit Street in Wilkes-Barre Township and found an email address (linked to Alpaugh’s Kik accounts) used to distribute the material.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella 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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