HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges this week against a former Philadelphia County resident accused of possessing child sexual abuse material.
Authorities said 45-year-old Matthew Blum was taken into custody in Connecticut after investigators learned he had relocated out of state. Blum was arrested Tuesday as a fugitive of justice and is awaiting extradition to Philadelphia County for arraignment.
Blum faces multiple felony counts of sexual abuse of children for possession of child sexual abuse material, along with one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation began after agents from the Child Predator Section received tips that Blum had searched online for suspected child sexual abuse material. A subsequent search of his former residence on Weikel Street in Philadelphia allegedly uncovered numerous files of illicit material on his cellphone.
Attorney General Sunday underscored the seriousness of the case, stating: “Exploiting or abusing children is among the most heinous conduct we come across, and we take very seriously our obligation to keep kids safe. Our Child Predator Section will continue to pursue these offenders and hold them fully accountable for their crimes.”
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Mary Phillips of the Child Predator Section.
All charges are allegations, and a suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.