Richard J. Barnett, 42
Harwood Road
Bensalem, Bucks County
Barnett is charged with possession of child pornography after a complaint was submitted to the Bucks County District Attorney's office.
According to the criminal complaint, an analysis of Barnett's computer located a total of 538 photographs that depicted girls or boys, under the age of 18, engaging in various sex acts.
Barnett was arrested on April 30th by agents from the Child Predator Unit.
Barnett is charged with 538 counts of sexual abuse of children (related to child pornography), all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
He was taken to the Bucks County prison in lieu of $2 million bail
Paul Stuart Bernold, 35
Blair Mill Road
Horsham, Montgomery County.
Bernold is charged with contacting an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl, describing himself as a teenager and adding "I'm naked." Investigators say Bernold sent a webcam video of himself nude and masturbating in front of his computer.
Bernold was arrested on April 30th, 2009 and is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a computer, both third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
David A. Kopicz
Greenwich St.
Kutztown, Berks County
Corbett said that Kopicz was initially arrested on December 30, 2008 when he allegedly traveled to Dauphin County to meet and have sex with what he believed was a 14-year old girl. The "girl" was actually an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit.
Following Kopicz's arrest, agents executed a search warrant and seized his computer for analysis by the Attorney General's Computer Forensics Unit.
According to the criminal complaint, agents identified eleven videos that appear to depict children under the age of 18 either nude or engaging in sexual activity.
Kopicz was charged on May 4th with eleven counts of sexual abuse of children (related to child pornography), all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Kopicz surrendered to agents from the Child Predator Unit on May 4th and was preliminarily arraigned before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Smith.
Kopicz was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Michael William Held, 35
Kutztown Road,
Kutztown, Berks County
Investigators say Held used an online chat room to approach an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl, intially talking about school and friends before moving the conversation to include masturbation and other sexual topics.
Corbett said Held also sent a photo of his penis, and provided a cell phone number so the "girl" could listen to him as he masturbated.
Held was arrested on April 23, 2009. He is also accused of sending other nude photographs and describing sex acts in graphic details.
Held is charged with eleven counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Steven A. Preston, 28
Wentz Road
Enola, Cumberland County
Corbett said that Preston allegedly used an instant message program to approach what he believed was a 14-year old girl. The "girl" was actually an undercover agent using the online profile of a child.
According to the criminal complaint, Preston expressed a desire to meet the girl in order to "make out," and adding, "I do like younger girls." Preston allegedly discussed meeting the girl, telling her that he would instruct her about sexual activity and also proposing that they engage in oral sex.
Corbett said that Preston allegedly asked the girl if she thought it was "wrong" for a 25-year old and a 14-year old to engage in these activities, adding, "I think its ok, but the law doesn't approve for some reason."
According to the criminal charges, Preston sent the girl a webcam video that showed him nude and masturbating in front of his computer and repeatedly proposed meeting the girl for sex.
Preston was arresetd on May 1, 2009 and is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a computer, both third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Get Action News on your website