HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced this week that a York County man has been arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material while he was serving probation for a prior conviction of similar crimes.
According to investigators, 27-year-old Dillon Harding of Dover faces 200 felony counts of sexual abuse of children and possession of child sexual abuse material, along with one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Authorities allege Harding used a computer to download a torrent file containing child sexual abuse images and videos. The computer’s IP address was traced back to Harding, leading to further investigation.
Detectives discovered that Harding was already serving a three-year probation sentence from a 2023 York County conviction on child exploitation charges. As part of his probation, Harding was barred from having unsupervised internet access and was prohibited from contact with minors.
A search of his home uncovered a Steam Deck gaming console and a cellphone, which investigators allege Harding used to bypass court-ordered internet monitoring software.
“This defendant took deliberate steps to avoid court supervision and again access child sexual abuse material,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend the investigators involved in this case for proactively finding a repeat offender who continues to abuse and exploit children.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie Swinehart of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations. All defendants are 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.