A Schuylkill County man faces a felony charge after state parole agents allegedly discovered an unreported social media account and a hidden cell phone during a home visit.
James Roche, 30, of Ashland, was charged with a second-degree felony count of failure to provide accurate registration information following an incident on July 28. He was arraigned on Friday before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, who set bail at $25,000. Roche was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
According to police, a State Parole Agent requested assistance at 436 Walnut St. in Ashland regarding an offender under supervision. Upon arrival, officers observed parole agents holding Roche on the front porch of the residence.
While conducting an investigation, agents located a black Moto G-Power cell phone hidden in a laundry room, police said.
Police reported that Roche is a Tier 1 registered Megan’s Law sex offender with a 15-year registration requirement that began on Dec. 11, 2024. Under state law, Roche is required to report all social media accounts to State Police. According to police, Roche admitted to parole agents that he was actively using a Facebook account under the name “James RA.”
In 2022, Roche pled guilty in Schuylkill County Court to one count of possessing child pornography and was sentenced to 16-36 months in prison followed by two years of probation.
Following the search, parole agents took Roche into custody and transported him to Schuylkill County Prison.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Tarantelli.
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