Local

Ross Twp. man accused of possessing more than 58K images of child porn

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An Allegheny County man accused of having more than 250 video files and more than 58,000 still images depicting apparent child pornography was arrested Friday as part of ongoing efforts to target the online sharing, downloading and distribution of child pornography, Attorney General Kathleen Kane said.

Kane said 28-year-old Hart Williams was arrested on Friday by agents from the Office of Attorney General's Child Predator Section, following a one-month investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, agents, who were conducting an online investigation, identified a computer on a peer-to-peer network downloading several media files believed to depict child pornography. The computer's IP address was later identified as serving Williams' Pittsburgh residence.

Agents and officers from the Ross Township Police Department executed a search of Williams' apartment and seized a computer tower, MacBook Pro laptop, two thumb drives and an external hard drive, Kane said.

According to the complaint, a preliminary review of the devices revealed more than 250 video files and more than 58,000 still images depicting apparent child pornography. The items will be analyzed further by the Attorney General's Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.

Kane said Williams is charged with 15 counts of possession of child pornography, 10 counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. on April 23 before Magisterial District Judge Richard Opeala.