An Irwin man has been charged with possession of more than 100 images and videos of child pornography, state police said Monday
Joshua D. Ward, 34, of Third Street, is charged with 110 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and criminal use of a communication device, according to court records.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tip Line received a report generated by the Kik messenger service, whose staff reported 39 files depicting child sexual abuse had been uploaded or saved in July 2024. State police served a subpoena to Comcast for the IP address associated with the files and in August 2024 were provided with Ward’s address in Irwin, according to a sworn affidavit.
A search warrant was executed in February and multiple devices were seized from Ward’s home. Forensic analysis uncovered additional files.
Ward was taken into custody and arraigned July 17. He was unable to post bail and taken to the Westmoreland County Prison. A July 29 preliminary hearing is set for Judge Rebecca Tyburski’s Penn Township court.
An attorney for Ward was not listed in court records.
