Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy announced today the arrest of 40-year-old Patrick Fox of Glenside, for possessing and distributing child pornography and related charges.

The investigation began in November 2021 after detectives were conducting an online investigation to identify individuals possessing and sharing child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing network. Through the investigation, a specific IP address was located that was sharing child pornography files. In the notice, it states that from November 30, 2021, to February 23, 2022, 12 image files and one video file were downloaded using a direct connection. A review of the image files found that they contained photos of children engaged in sexual acts or in sexually explicit poses.

The notice continues that subscriber information for the IP address was traced to Fox’s residence in the Glenside section of Abington Township. On May 5, 2022, a search warrant was served on the residence. From the notice:

While an initial search of the residence was being conducted, a computer was on in the bedroom/office, which showed that the peer-to-peer file-sharing network was actively on and downloading files. The computer using the network was a custom-built computer and tower. That computer and other electronic devices were seized. A forensic examination of the custom-built computer and tower was conducted, which located 1,202 images of child under the age of 18 engaged in sexual acts and/or poses. The vast majority of those more than 1,000 images were of pre-pubescent children, including approximately 60 images depicting children under 5-years-old.

Fox was arrested and charged with 100 felony counts of possessing child pornography, 10 counts of disseminating child pornography, and criminal use of a communications facility. He was arraigned and bail was set at $10,000, with additional conditions of no contact with minors. The defendant posted bail and was released. A preliminary hearing is set for 11:30 a.m., June 29, 2022, before Magisterial District Judge Juanita Price.