Pennsylvania man charged with possession of child pornography

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Pennsylvania man was charged Tuesday with possession of child pornography. The charge stems from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

According to court documents, James L. Scott, 37, of West Decatur, Pa., knowingly possessed digital images and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.