HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges against a Delaware County man accused of possessing dozens of files containing child sexual abuse material and other illicit images, following an investigation by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
According to prosecutors, Chad Lauletta, 50, is charged with 56 felony counts related to the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material, along with a misdemeanor count of invasion of privacy. Authorities allege Lauletta also possessed a video depicting an adult woman engaged in a sexual act that he recorded without her knowledge or consent.
Lauletta was arraigned on the charges, and bail was set at $1 million cash, officials said.
Attorney General Sunday said the investigation revealed what authorities allege was a collection of illegal and indecent material involving children, as well as a secretly recorded video involving an adult victim. He characterized the alleged conduct as serious and said it was reflected in the scope of the charges filed.
The investigation began after an adult woman reported to police that she had discovered concerning files on Lauletta’s phone. Authorities said Lauletta was a former paramour of the reporting party. Following the report, law enforcement questioned Lauletta and executed a search of his residence on Taylor Road in Springfield, with assistance from Springfield Township police.
Investigators allege the search uncovered child sexual abuse material along with numerous photographs of girls who appeared to be in their early teens and dressed in a revealing manner. Authorities said many of the images were screenshots taken from social media, and investigators allege that in at least one instance, Lauletta took a photograph himself.
The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella.
All criminal charges are allegations. Any suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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