A Schuylkill County man has been jailed on charges that he possessed and shared illicit videos and images involving children.
According to court documents filed by State Police’s Computer Crimes Unit, seven Cybertips were filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) between Aug. 23, 2023, and May 30, 2024, by Quora, KIK, and Snapchat.
Those three online platforms reported that images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation material had been shared, saved, and uploaded through accounts that police say linked back to a single person: Jason Lacerte, 49, of Pottsville.
Police say they subpoenaed records for an IP address and that also linked to Lacerte.
A total of 18 videos and 2 still images were reported by the NCMEC.
On Thursday, District Magistrate Judge James Reiley signed a search warrant that was executed Friday on Lacerte’s Pottsville’s residence.
According to police, Lacerte willingly answered questions and admitted that he used the apps that were used to view and share the illicit files. During his interview, Lacerte reportedly directed investigators to a file directory on his cellular device that contained the files.
The videos stored on Lacerte’s phone purportedly show minor boys and girls between the ages of 3-7 engaged in sexual activity with adults.
Lacerte allegedly admitted to investigators that he viewed these types of files on Quora and that he shared them using Discord.
Two cellular devices belonging to Lacerte have been entered into evidence for further forensic evaluation, police say.
Lacerte was arraigned before Reiley on Friday morning and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material, disseminating files containing child sex acts, and criminal use of a communication device, all felonies.
Reiley set bail at 10% of $50,000, which hasn’t been posted and Lacerte was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...
William Gray
May 31, 2025 at 9:17 pm
Absolutely disgusting and hats off to the authorities who led to this creep’s arrest and hopeful conviction and fitting sente!