Berks Detectives file child porn charges against 76-year-old man
Detectives investigated sharing of child pornography via Internet
Anthony Shurilla Jr., 76, Longswamp Township, has been charged with Dissemination of Photographs / Film of Child Sex Acts and Possession of Child Pornography.
On May 19, 2017, Berks County Detectives initiated an investigation into sharing of child pornography via the Internet. Detectives were able to download seven digital images containing child pornography from an Internet Protocol address that was determined to be assigned to an address in Longswamp Township.
On Nov. 9, 2017, members of the Berks County Detectives Unit served a search warrant relative to this investigation at Shurilla’s residence in Longswamp Township. Shurilla was present at the time the search warrant was served. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Shurilla resided at this location when the digital images, containing child pornography, were downloaded from the Internet.
Computer and digital related items were seized from this residence. The items were forensically examined by the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, Computer Forensic Unit. Thousands of digital files that included digital images and digital videos of child pornography were found on the seized items.
As a result of the investigation, the defendant was charged with Dissemination of Photographs / Film of Child Sex Acts and Possession of Child Pornography. The warrant of arrest was issued by Magisterial District Judge Steven Chieffo.
On Jan. 3, 2018, the defendant surrendered to detectives at the office of Magisterial District Judge Steven Chieffo, where he was arraigned and was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.