A Kutztown man was one of four men found with suspected child pornography after investigations by Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s Child Predator Section.
Kane’s office announced on May 2 the arrest of four men charged with possessing child pornography and distributing it on the Internet. Frederick B. Randolph, 54, Kutztown; Charles Bibbs Blackwell, 40, Pittsburgh; Jerry Ray Moore, 69, Uniontown; and K’von Louwiz Amaro, 19, Whitehall, were arrested after separate investigations by the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section in Allegheny, Fayette, Berks and Lehigh counties.
According to a release from Kane’s office, “agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section conducted an online investigation to identify those suspected of using a file sharing network to distribute child pornography. A computer with an IP address associated with Randolph was identified with media files indicative of child pornography.”
Randolph was arrested Thursday, April 28, after agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section, officers with the Kutztown Police Department and detectives with the Berks County District Attorney’s office executed a search warrant at his residence, according to the release.
“As part of the search, investigators located computers and other electronic devices. A forensic preview of the devices revealed numerous images of suspected child pornography,” according to the release. “Randolph is charged with three counts of distribution of child pornography, 25 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.”
He was released from the Berks County Prison after a bondsman posted a $25,000 surety bond on his behalf. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 11.
Kane thanked the Kutztown Police Department and the Berks County District Attorney’s office for assisting with Randolph’s arrest.
Randolph will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
Suspected child predators can be reported to the Office of the Attorney General by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Individuals who suspect an online predator or child sexual abuse can also send an anonymous tip to the office by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.
