Investigators and prosecutors are looking to identify possible victims of a Centre County man who they say solicited underage teenagers for sexual activity and recorded the encounters.
Samuel C. Friday, 67, was charged Tuesday with 10 felony counts of child sexual abuse material after state police at Rockview found numerous videos and photos of juveniles engaged in sexual acts inside his Taylor Township home, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Additional charges may be forthcoming, Centre County First Assistant District Attorney Joshua Andrews said on Wednesday at a press conference in Bellefonte.
The identities of two juveniles depicted in the materials are known to law enforcement, but an investigation into others who appear to be minor teenagers is ongoing, Andrews said.
“At this point, the scope of any criminal conduct, and the number and identity of all the individuals possibly involved or impacted is unknown,” Andrews said.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Trooper Jonathan Hodges at the state police Rockview barracks or by calling at (814) 355-7545, or County Detective John Aston in the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 355-6735.
“We know that coming forward can be difficult,” Andrews said. “It can feel overwhelming, emotional, intimidating, but I want to assure you that you are not alone. Our team of prosecutors, investigators and victim advocacy professionals is here to listen, to support you and to guide you through every step of the process.”
Police received multiple Childline referrals on Nov. 13 alleging that Friday “paid juveniles to perform various sexual acts with him” and recorded the abuse, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Investigators say they were told that Friday invited underage teenagers to his basement and offered to pay them cash in exchange for sexual conduct, including wearing provocative outfits he provided, undressing, posing for photographs and engaging in sexual activity with him or while being photographed or recorded.
After conducting an interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center on Monday, troopers executed a search warrant on Friday’s residence.
Photographs, videotapes and digital files found in Friday’s basement showed known and suspected juveniles posing and performing sexual acts on Friday, police wrote. Those included Friday engaged in sexual intercourse with a juvenile female, as well as him “communicating with two juveniles while recording them in partial and full states of nudity,” according to the affidavit.
One file alone contained more than 200 photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse, police wrote.
In addition to the photos and videos, investigators found “a bed, provocative outfits, a wall-mounted digital camera and sex toys” in Friday’s basement, Andrews said.
The affidavit filed on Tuesday mentioned evidence of two other men with a juvenile, though it was not clear if the identity of the juvenile was known to police or if Friday was involved in the recording.
“It is unclear who may or may not be involved and if their involvement might be criminal,” Andrews said. “Certainly not everything that has been recovered is automatically criminal or automatically implicates criminal conduct, but the investigation is ongoing as to the scope and reach of any criminal conduct that may have occurred.”
Andrews said that while the earliest occurrence is not yet know, investigators suspect Friday’s alleged conduct has been going on “for years.” He added that “every report that we’ve had so far and every indication that we’ve had so far leads us to believe that the underage individuals” are no younger than teenagers.
During an interview with police on Monday night, Friday admitted to taking nude photographs of a juvenile stepping out of the shower and that he had “some sexual involvement” with the same girl, according to the affidavit. He “indicated that the juvenile female requested sexual acts from him possibly in exchange for money,” police wrote.
Friday was denied bail by District Judge Casey McClain, who cited anticipated additional charges and victims fearing retaliation. He is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 26.
“When victims and witnesses come forward, it strengthens our ability to uncover the truth and to hold offenders accountable,” Andrews said on Wednesday. “Even if you are unsure about whether what you experienced is relevant, we urge you to reach out.”
