State police have arrested a fourth man in connection with a child sex abuse and human trafficking case in Centre County.
James S. Kobuck, 61, of Blair County was charged on Saturday with patronizing a victim of sexual servitude under the age of 18 and filming a sexual act with a child.
Three other men — Samuel C. Friday, 67, of Taylor Township, Michael H. Woomer, 66, of Taylor Township and Morris W. Reese, 64, of Blair County — were arrested in November for allegedly sexually abusing teenage girls and recording the encounters inside Friday’s home.
Kobuck is accused of enticing a juvenile with money to perform sexual acts, which he and the other men filmed, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Investigators observed Kobuck in one video engaging in sexual acts with the juvenile, during which he received instructions from one of the other men, police wrote. All four defendants participated in the filming by holding the camera, providing instructions or performing sex acts, according to the affidavit.
Kobuck was arraigned by District Judge Steven Lachman and was unable to post $50,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Friday, Woomer and Reese were each arrested last month on charges related to human trafficking and child sexual abuse material. All three were denied bail.
Acting on multiple Childline referrals alleging that Friday paid juveniles to perform sexual acts, state police at Rockview searched his home on Nov. 17 and uncovered numerous videos and photographs of the men engaged in intercourse and a range of other sexual activity with girls known and suspected to be under the age of 18, according to affidavits of probable cause. Investigators say they also found a bed, provocative outfits, a wall-mounted digital camera and sex toys.
Since then, police have continued to review evidence and interview witnesses.
In an interview with police after his arrest, 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 an affidavit of probable cause. He “indicated that the juvenile female requested sexual acts from him possibly in exchange for money,” police wrote.
At a press conference in November, Centre County First Assistant District Attorney Joshua Andrews said that two teenagers depicted in the videos had been identified but that police were investigating the identity of others
Most of the potential victims are believed reside in neighboring Blair County, Andrews said at the time. Friday’s home is near the Blair County line and bears a Tyrone address.
The charges filed against Friday, Woomer and Reese indicate the activity has been going on since at least 2021, but some allegations indicate that Friday’s alleged conduct may date back to the 1990s, Andrews said.
Possible victims who feel ready to come forward and anyone with information related to the case are 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.
Investigators will respect the wishes of anyone who comes forward “in terms of what happens with the information that they provide,” Andrews said.
“Whether you are a teenager, a parent, an adult survivor or someone who has silently carried this burden for decades: you can come forward. You deserve support. And you deserve to be heard,” Andrews said. “Our team of prosecutors, investigators and victim-advocacy professionals will treat you with respect, dignity and compassion. You will not be judged. You will not be pressured. And you will not go through this alone.”
