Skippack Twp. official and camp owner arrested on child porn charges

SKIPPACK TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- An elected official in Montgomery County is facing disturbing charges related to sexually soliciting a minor and solicitation of child pornography.

Nicholas Fountain, 38, vice chair of the Skippack Township Board of Supervisors, was taken into custody this week on charges filed in Harford County, Maryland. He also helps operate two day care centers.

According to court documents, Fountain is accused of soliciting sexual images from someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. The individual was actually an undercover detective with the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say Fountain allegedly sent explicit photos and made online posts with titles such as "38m looking for younger." Much of the communication in the court documents is too graphic for public release.

"It's very disturbing. As someone who has five children, I would lose my mind," said Brandy Moskal of North Coventry, Pa., who said she knows Fountain's wife but not Fountain personally.

Fountain is a father of two young children and has an 18-year-old stepchild.

According to his LinkedIn and Facebook profiles, Fountain owns Camp Magnolia in Skippack and Magnolia Children's Academy in Gilbertsville. Both businesses were closed Thursday, and no one answered the door at his home.

Fountain has served on the Skippack Township Board of Supervisors since 2013. In a statement, the board said:

"We were shocked to learn of the charges filed by the Harford County (Maryland) Sheriff's Office against Nick Fountain, a member of the Skippack Township Board of Supervisors. We don't know many details right now and are seeking to learn more from law enforcement. The details we do have, however, are deeply disturbing. If true, we call on Mr. Fountain to resign from the Board of Supervisors. We will not have anything further to say until we know more."

Fountain remains in custody in Montgomery County and is awaiting extradition to Maryland. A hearing is expected next week.