HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Lebanon County man accused of using Internet file-sharing programs to download and possess illegal child pornography.
Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan identified the defendant as Frank Maldonado, 51, 1520 King St., Lebanon.
Ryan said that Maldonado allegedly used computer file-sharing programs to download numerous digital videos that show young children posing naked in sexually suggestive positions or engaging in various sex acts.
According to the criminal complaint, Maldonado allegedly used his computer to store multiple videos that contained explicit images of underage children engaging in sex. The videos were allegedly identified on Maldonado’s computer by agents from the Child Predator Unit who were conducting an undercover investigation of various file-sharing networks.
Maldonado was arrested at his home on March 24 by agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, who were assisted by South Lebanon Township Police.
Agents also executed a search warrant at Maldonado’s home, seizing two computers, a laptop and data storage devices which will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of illegal child pornography.
Maldonado is charged with four counts sexual abuse of children – possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of communication facility, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Maldonado was preliminarily arraigned before Lebanon Magisterial District Judge Smith and lodged in the Lebanon County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 1, at 9 a.m., in Lebanon County Central Court.
He will be prosecuted in Lebanon County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Ryan thanked the South Lebanon Township Police for their cooperation and assistance with the investigation.
Internet Safety
Acting Attorney General Ryan cautioned parents to carefully monitor Internet activities involving their children, especially in situations where they might be approached by strangers. Internet predators often request personal information from potential victims or attempt to share sexually explicit photos or videos during their initial online encounters.
Ryan explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has made 289 arrests since it was created in January 2005, involving individuals from all across Pennsylvania and as far away as Texas and Florida, all accused of using the Internet to sexually exploit children – including predators who collect or share child pornography.
Ryan urged parents to monitor the following:
. Know what your children are doing online.
. Understand the websites they use and who they are communicating with.
. Review their pages on MySpace, Facebook or other online profiles.
. Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meeting with strangers.
. Do your own research – use Google or other Internet searches to see what your children, or their friends, may be posting online.
Reporting Internet Predators
Suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit using our online complaint form or by calling the Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044.
Internet safety tips and other information are available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just for Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s website.
Organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, contact the Attorney General’s Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.
