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Computer expert at CMU accused of possessing child porn

PITTSBURGH — On Friday, Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced the arrest of five men accused of possessing child pornography.

Kane said the arrests were the result of separate investigations by the Office of Attorney General's Child Predator Section, which now has arrested more than 350 suspected child predators since the beginning of 2013.

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"Protecting children will always be a top priority for our office," Kane said. "We will continue to work every day to investigate and prosecute those who prey on the most vulnerable."

The men recently arrested by the Child Predator Section are:

  • Eric Jermaine Irson, 40, Pittsburgh
  • Nicholas D. Balzer, 42, Pittsburgh
  • Christopher Croyle, 23, Seward, Westmoreland County
  • Johnny Victor Stevens, 42, Linesville, Crawford County
  • Brandon L. Hannold, 30, Guys Mills, Crawford County

Target 11 Investigator Rick Earle has learned Irson is a computer expert at Carnegie Mellon University.

https://twitter.com/WPXITarget11/status/594205704745066498

According to Kane, agents conducted an online investigation in which they sought to identify persons possessing child pornography through file sharing networks.

Agents identified an IP address assigned to a computer that was routing files believed to depict child pornography, she said.

That led agents to obtain a search warrant for Irson's residence, Kane said.

The Borough of Pleasant Hills Police Department assisted in the search, which led to the seizure of multiple electronic devices.

According to Kane, a preliminary review of the devices revealed numerous suspected images of child pornography. The devices will be further analyzed as part of an ongoing investigation.

Irson is charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility, Kane said.

Balzer arrest

Agents conducted an online investigation to identify those suspected of using a peer-to-peer file sharing network to possess and share child pornography.

A computer was identified sharing images of suspected child pornography, which led agents from the Office of Attorney General and City of Pittsburgh Police Department to execute a search warrant at the halfway house where Balzer lived.

A laptop and external hard drive were found at the residence.

A preliminary search showed evidence of the file sharing program and apparent child pornography.

The devices will be further analyzed as part of an ongoing investigation.

Balzer is charged with five counts of distributing child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Balzer was remanded to the Allegheny County Jail after his bail was set at $25,000 at a preliminary arraignment.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 13.

Croyle arrest

Prior to Croyle's arrest, agents conducted an online investigation in which they sought to identify persons possessing child pornography through a file sharing network.

Agents discovered a computer with an IP address assigned to a computer that was routing or requesting files that contained suspected child pornography.

A search warrant was obtained and later executed at Croyle’s home by agents from the Office of Attorney General and the Borough of Seward Police Department.

The search resulted in the seizure of at least two computers.

A preliminary search of the computers showed evidence of the file sharing program that was being investigated as well as videos and photographs depicting suspected child pornography.

The devices will be further analyzed as part of an ongoing investigation.

Croyle is charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

He was transported to the Westmoreland County Prison after his bail was set at $25,000 at a preliminary arraignment.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 8.

Stevens arrest

Stevens was arrested following an online investigation in which agents sought to identify persons using a file sharing network to obtain child pornography.

A computer was identified on a network sharing files containing suspected child pornography.

That led agents from the Office of Attorney General to obtain a search warrant for Stevens' residence.

The search, which also involved the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police, resulted in the seizure of multiple computers.

A custom-made computer tower was also seized, which contained multiple files containing suspected child pornography, a preliminary review showed.

The devices will be further analyzed as part of an ongoing investigation.

Stevens is charged with 10 counts of distributing child pornography, 10 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Bail was set at $50,000 at Stevens' preliminary arraignment and he was transported to Crawford County Prison.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 14.

Hannold arrest

Agents arrested Hannold following an investigation in which they aimed to identify the possession and sharing of child pornography on peer-to-peer file sharing networks.

A computer was found on one such network containing suspected child pornography.

That led agents to obtain a search warrant for Hannold's residence.

The search was conducted with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police and resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices.

A preliminary review of a computer seized from the living room showed files containing suspected child pornography.

Evidence of the file sharing program was also found on the computer, agents allege.

Hannold is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography and one count each of distributing child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.

Hannold was remanded to the Crawford County Prison after his bail was set at $70,000 at a preliminary arraignment.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 13.

WPXI

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