A 21-year-old Palmer Township man is accused of using child sex abuse material to solicit cash in online chat rooms, where he posed as a young girl.
Patrick Michael Werkiser, of Whitney Avenue, is charged with 40 felony counts of possessing child sex abuse material; one count felony criminal use of a communications facility; one count felony corruption of minors; and one count misdemeanor indecent assault of a person under age 13.
Werkiser was arraigned before District Judge Daniel G. Corpora, who set bail at $250,000. In lieu of bail, he was taken to Northampton County Prison.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges against Werkiser on Tuesday.
“This defendant frequented the dark corners of the internet to accumulate heinous materials, which he offered in exchange for cash — but our agents were watching, and he is now facing very serious charges,” Sunday said.
Court records did not immediately list an attorney for Werkiser.
Investigators raided Werkiser’s Whitney Avenue home after obtaining a search warrant. Authorities say they found the child sex abuse material as a result of the search.
The investigation against Werkiser is ongoing. The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Mary Phillips of the Child Predator Section.
Werkiser is due back in court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 29. A judge will then determine if there’s enough evidence to send the case toward trial at the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.