ALTOONA (PA)
WJAC-TV [Jamestown PA]
October 12, 2023
UPDATE |
Blair Co., PA (WJAC) — Authorities are providing additional details about the arrest of a Hollidaysburg-area man following a months-long child porn investigation.
Investigators say Anthony Petracca Jr, age 67, was reportedly a former Catholic priest in Pennsylvania.
Officials say in 2017, he was allegedly placed on leave by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown following allegations of misconduct.
Make no mistake that possession of child pornography is an insidious form of child abuse that exploits and harms the children involved. The defendant is accused of contributing to that exploitation and mistreatment of children,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry. “These are serious charges and we will do everything in our power to protect children and hold those who take advantage of them accountable for their crimes.
Authorities say that since 2017, Petracca has not served as a priest or been in contact with children.
Petracca was arraigned on 31 felony counts of child pornography and is being housed on $25,000 bail.
ORIGINAL |
Authorities say a 67-year-old Hollidaysburg-area man has been charged with several counts of child pornography.
According to a probable-cause affidavit, in February, authorities with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office reportedly found at least 30 child pornography files on a Verizon account associated with Anthony Petracca Jr.
Authorities were initially alerted in 2022 when multiple complaints of child porn were received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The files were later traced to an account associated with Petracca’s cellphone number and Gmail account, according to the affidavit.
Petracca has been charged with 31 second-and-third-degree felony counts of child pornography and a third-degree felony count of criminal use of a communication facility.
He was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Matthew Dunio, of Altoona, and was sent to the Blair County Prison in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 19 before Dunio.