CLEARFIELD – A 47-year-old Clearfield man, Kevin Bryon Owens, has been accused of possessing and disseminating child pornography, announced Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. today.
On Monday, Corporal Michael Goss of the Pennsylvania State Police, Computer Crime Unit, filed a criminal complaint against Owens. He has charged Owens with sexual abuse of children – dissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and films, eight counts; sexual abuse of children – child pornography, 12 counts; and criminal use of a communication facility.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Dec. 14, 2013, state police were conducting undercover investigations into the Internet sharing of child pornography. Further, state police were able to locate a computer, which was sharing child pornography on the Ares network.
State police were able to download digital files consisting of seven videos and one photo depicting child pornography. Upon investigation it was found that the I.P. address, which belonged to the computer sharing the child pornography, was registered to Owens at his residence on Mount Joy Road, Clearfield.
On June 26, 2014, state police applied for and obtained a search warrant for Owens’ residence. The search warrant was executed the same day, and resulted in the seizure of two laptop computers and one external hard drive. A forensic examination was completed on the computers and external hard drive, resulting in a finding of two movie files and 10 thumbnail image files depicting child pornography.
Shaw stated that on Tuesday, Owens was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard A. Ireland, and his bail was established at $25,000. Shaw also stated that Owens waived his preliminary hearing at the time of his arraignment.
Shaw stated that he was very pleased with the investigative efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police to identify the suspect in this matter. Shaw also noted that complaints of this nature are extremely troubling and every effort must be made to investigate and prosecute those who possess and disseminate child pornography.
Anyone with knowledge of a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at 800-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime.”
