The Philipsburg-based state police identified the defendant as Jeffrey S. Storms, 41, of Bellefonte. He currently faces 443 charges, including 175 counts of sexual abuse of children, 151 counts of indecent assault and 70 counts of obscene and other sexual materials and performances.
In addition, he’s been charged with 13 counts of criminal attempt involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, one count each of aggravated indecent assault and criminal attempt rape and other related charges.
State police initiated the investigation in December 2011 when the now 17-year-old victim came forward, advising she’d been sexually abused by the accused between the ages of 5 and 11 years. She alleged the accused had touched her inappropriately and also caused her to touch him on numerous occasions.
This victim also alleged that Storms showed her pornography, including both child and adult pornography, via videos and pictures.
Through its investigation, the state police discovered that the now 18-year-old victim had allegedly been abused by Storms. When she was 10 years old, he allegedly touched her inappropriately and attempted to have intercourse with her. However, that attempt was stopped, according to the report.
The state police executed a search warrant on the accused’s residence with the assistance of the Rockview-based state police and the Bellefonte Borough Police Department. Numerous electronic items were seized and analyzed. As a result, numerous video clips and pictures, which depicted child pornography, were located on some of the seized electronics.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Storms, and he was taken into custody at his residence without incident. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Allen Sinclair.
He was remanded to the Centre County Correctional Facility on $250,000 straight bail. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday at the Centre County Courthouse.