A State College man is facing nearly 150 felony charges for possessing dozens of images of child pornography.
William S. Welsh, 28, was arrested on Thursday after police found on his phone 41 videos and 32 photos of nude toddler-aged boys being sexually abused by other men, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by borough police.
Police began investigating in March after receiving information that Welsh told a witness he had sexually abused a 2-year-old. He also told the witness he had child pornography that he planned to delete, police wrote.
Officers executed a search warrant on Welsh’s West College Avenue apartment on April 4 and an analysis of his phone found the images depicting child sexual abuse in a password-protected application, according to the affidavit.
Welsh is charged with 73 felony counts of child pornography and 73 felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
He was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Donald Hahn, who set bail at $2.19 million.
Welsh is detained at the Centre County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 29.
More Police and Crime News
View all Police and Crime News
Sandusky Accuser Expected to Recant Testimony
One of the accusers who testified more than 14 years ago that Jerry Sandusky sexually abused him is expected to recant his allegations at an upcoming appeal hearing for the […]
Ferguson Township Police Make 21 Stops During Strategic Traffic Enforcement on Blue Course Drive
Ferguson Township police made 21 vehicle stops and issued “numerous” citations during a strategic traffic enforcement on Friday, according to a department news release. The enforcement, conducted on Blue Course […]
Alleged Penn State Frat Drug Ring Leader’s Brother Charged After Being Found With Cocaine on Boat in Centre County, Authorities Say
The brother of the alleged leader of a cocaine trafficking ring operating out of two Penn State fraternities is facing misdemeanor drug charges of his own after an incident at […]
