UPDATE |
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. — Authorities with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General say a Cambria County man is behind bars following a months-long child porn investigation.
Officials say in February, agents received a CyberTip that multiple images of suspected child pornography had reportedly been viewed at a Johnstown area address.
Investigators say the IP address was linked to a residence along the 100 block of Boulder Drive, where 79-year-old Richard Hirsch reportedly resided.
Authorities say some of the images depicted girls, some as young as 4 to 6 years old, performing various sexual acts or in various sexually explicit poses.
Investigators say last week, a search warrant was executed at Hirsch's home and his devices were seized.
Authorities noted that when agents arrived at his home, Hirsch allegedly "ignored commands" and ran into one of the rooms to unplug his computer.
"I know why you're here, it's because of the porn," Hirsch allegedly told authorities. "I was on YouTube and I saw the porn," he added.
According to the affidavit, authorities say Hirsch explained that he began viewing child pornography approximately 10 years ago out of "curiosity."
Investigators say he claimed that he would visit YouTube and "just click links" that led him to the child porn.
Online court records show that Hirsch was arraigned over the weekend on two dozen counts of felony child pornography, as well as one count of criminal use of a communication device.
He was arraigned to the Cambria County Prison on $100,000 bail and has since posted bond.
Editor's note: The last line has been updated to reflect that Mr. Hirsch has posted bond.
ORIGINAL |
A Cambria County man is behind bars after being charged with multiple child pornography felonies, records show.
According to online court dockets, Richard Hirsch, 79, is facing 24 felony counts of child pornography and one felony count of criminal use of a communication facility from an incident that occurred June 15 of last year.
Details are limited at this time, but court dockets show that Hirsch is currently being held at the Cambria County Prison after being unable to post bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 24.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.
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