From staff reports

THOMPSONTOWN — A Thompsontown man who formerly served as the assistant director of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ministries is facing charges related to the production of child pornography.

According to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Daniel Reed, age 51, was charged by criminal complaint with attempted production of child pornography, production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, the criminal complaint alleges that Central Pennsylvania Youth Ministries received a report from an adult female who said that she was “groomed” into a sexual relationship with Reed when she was between 14 and 17 years old. It is further alleged that thereafter a “peep hole” and two-way mirror was discovered in the second-floor hallway closet of the Youth Ministries and looked into the second-floor bathroom which had a shower.

Following the execution of a search warrant at Reed’s residence, law enforcement seized an electronic device which contained internet searches relating to the use of hidden cameras for illicit purposes. It also included a text message to a group that included two 16-year-old minor females, appearing to encourage them to use the shower at the Youth Ministries” facility. Also, on a hard drive seized from the residence, law enforcement discovered at least seven nude images of minor females from the second-floor bathroom at the Youth Ministries’ facility, and images of others in other bathrooms and bedrooms. All the images appeared to have been taken from a hidden camera.

The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is seeking to identify potential victims. If you, your family member, or anyone that you know may have information relating to these matters under investigation and/or would like to report a crime, please contact the FBI Philadelphia Office at (215) 418-4000.

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for the charged offenses is 70 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by a court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Criminal complaints only contain allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.