May 05, 2016
Source/Delaware County District Attorney's Office
Jon Hurst, 44, of Landsdowne Borough.
A Lansdowne Borough man has been arrested and charged with 50 felony counts of possession of child pornography, dissemination of child pornography and criminal use of a communications facility, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan announced Thursday.
The arrest of 44-year-old Jon R. Hurst comes after the DA's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force concluded their investigation with assistance from Lansdowne Borough Police and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Prosecutors say Hurst possessed thousands of potential pornographic images and videos on his computer depicting children as young as 4 years old engaging in sexual acts.
On Wednesday, May 4, at around 6:02 a.m., law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at 122 N. Highland Avenue, where Hurst was found inside his vehicle in his driveway. After he was read his Miranda warning, Hurst confessed to detectives that he has been downloading child pornography for the last 10 years. He said he prefers teenage age girls but has also seen images of children as young as 2 years old on his computer.
"Those who possess child pornography contribute to the appalling exploitation of innocent children," said Whelan. "And those who engage in this criminal behavior here in Delaware County should be forewarned that law enforcement is actively working to locate and arrest them."
Hurst was remanded to the Delaware County Prison after failing to post bail at ten percent of $50,000, with conditions of no contact with minors and no Internet.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 12.
