CLEARFIELD – A 39-year-old Penfield man pleaded guilty to 50 counts of possession of child pornography prior to the start of his jury trial on Friday.
Ricky Cribbs was arrested after police received a tip that he was in possession of child pornography. When questioned by police Cribbs was reported to have said that the material was “old stuff” and that none of the pictures were of his past victims and had come from a computer.
Cribbs has three cases dating back to 1999 that involve indecent assault and corruption of minors. Cribbs is also on the PA Megan’s Law Web site as a registered sex offender.
Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman noted that the court was not in a position to sentence Cribbs on Friday. Cribbs will undergo another Megan’s Law assessment. According to Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. it is the commonwealth’s goal to get Cribbs put on the lifetime offender’s list as a sexually violent predator.
“Our goal is to have him declared a sexually violent predator,” said Shaw.
Cribbs was questioned by the judge about his understanding of the situation and his guilty plea. When asked if he understood the charges against him, Cribbs answered, “Unfortunately, yes.”
Cribbs appeared to be in emotional distress, at times sobbing and at other times taking long periods of time to answer the judge’s questions. Throughout the questioning Cribbs’ shoulders were slumped.
Before the guilty plea Shaw said that the commonwealth was ready to preceed with trial. A Powerpoint presentation was set to show jurors the images that had been confiscated from Cribbs.
“I didn’t think he would plea,” said Shaw. “But it doesn’t surprise me.”
Shaw said that he expects Cribbs to be sentenced sometime around December.