HARRISBURG, PA — Two 16-year-old boys from Lancaster County admitted Thursday in juvenile court to dozens of charges related to manufacturing child sexual abuse material, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced.
The juveniles admitted to 59 felony counts of sexual abuse of children for manufacturing child sexual abuse material, as well as conspiracy to commit that offense and a misdemeanor charge of obscene material or other sexual performance, according to the Office of Attorney General.
Lancaster County President Judge Leonard G. Brown III adjudicated both boys delinquent following the admissions in Lancaster County Court.
Disposition hearings, the juvenile court equivalent of sentencing, are scheduled for March 25.
Investigators said the juveniles manipulated photos found online, primarily through Instagram, by “morphing” the images to make those depicted appear nude. Authorities said some of the victims were classmates of the juveniles.
Morphed images are created by combining a photo of a child with a virtual or adult image depicting nudity or sexual activity.
“This case exemplifies the dark side of modern technology and social media,” Sunday said. “The conduct involved a weaponization of technology to victimize unsuspecting children who had photos online. It goes without saying that the impact on the victims is nothing short of devastation.”
Juvenile court proceedings are typically closed to the public, but Thursday’s hearing was open because the admissions involved charges that would be felonies if prosecuted in adult court.
Local police filed the charges, and the case was referred to the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section for prosecution.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie Swinehart is prosecuting the case.
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