SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A 51-year-old Scranton man was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in state prison after using computers at the Scranton Public Library to search for and view sexually explicit material involving children, Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher announced.
John Dudkiewicz was convicted of attempting to possess child sexual abuse material and related offenses. He was also classified as a sexually violent predator and must register with Pennsylvania State Police for life under SORNA, the state’s sex-offender registration law.
The investigation began after library employees noticed Dudkiewicz’s activity, reviewed the computer’s search history and documented more than 40 searches, according to the district attorney’s office. Library records and surveillance footage helped identify him.
According to the criminal complaint, Dudkiewicz admitted to police that he had searched for and viewed images of children at the library. He also told officers he had been trying to contact children online and was on federal supervision for a similar offense, the complaint states. When police stopped him, he said he was heading back to the library to view more images.
Gallagher thanked library staff for preserving evidence and contacting police. Scranton police Officers Jacob Thomas and Matthew Zawatski investigated the case. Deputy District Attorney Bo Loughney prosecuted it.