A Scranton man was sentenced to 20 to 75 years behind bars Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to 5,000 felony counts involving possession of 150,000 files of child sexual abuse material.
That number included 200 photos in a digital picture frame next to his bed, according to Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
Paul Sybrandy, 44, of 514 Cedar Ave., was arrested in July after detectives from the district attorney’s office received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and an investigation determined he had uploaded files of child sexual abuse material.
“The sheer volume of child pornography discovered in this case — over 150,000 images — is horrific,” Gallagher said in a statement following the arrest. “Let me be absolutely clear: If you are involved in child pornography — if you are producing it, sharing it or possessing it — you are not just a criminal, you are a monster. You are fueling the ongoing torture, exploitation and sexual abuse of children. And we are coming for you with everything we’ve got.
“We will tear apart your devices. We will trace your digital footprint. We will expose you, arrest you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We are deploying every resource — local, state, and federal — to ensure that those who prey on children are taken off our streets for good. There will be no leniency and no second chances.”
Upon release, Sybrandy will be required to register yearly as a sex offender with the Pennsylvania State Police, pursuant to the state’s Sexual Offenders Registration and Notification Act.