Child Porn & Sexual Assault Arrest - Ian Petrie
News Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023
CHILD PORN AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ARREST
IAN B. PETRIE
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Child Pornography/Child Sexual Abuse Arrest
DEFENDANT: Ian B. PETRIE (25 years of age)
Reading, PA
CHARGES: Sexual Abuse of Children – Manufacturing Child Pornography (F2)
Sexual Abuse of Children – Dissemination of Child Pornography (F2)
Sexual Abuse of Children – Possession of Child Pornography (F3)
Indecent Assault (F3)
Indecent Assault (M2)
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
In 2022, four (4) different cyber tips were received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) involving the dissemination of child pornography. These cyber tips were initially investigated by Montgomery County authorities but were later referred to the Berks County Detectives. These cyber tips involved child pornography digital files that had been shared utilizing the internet/web applications Instagram and Facebook.
Several of the digital files depicted a child appearing to be approximately five (5) years of age. An arm of an adult male was also observed in these digital images and a distinct tattoo covered the back of this adult’s hand.
The Berks County Detectives determined that the involved Instagram and Facebook accounts were linked to the defendant (Ian B. Petrie) who had previously resided in Montgomery County.
During the investigation, detectives were able to identify the young child depicted in the videos. Additionally, detectives learned that the defendant was the boyfriend of the child’s biological mother during the time of the sexual assaults. Detectives were also able to match the defendant’s tattoo on the back of his right hand that was depicted in the video.
Subsequently, detectives obtained a search warrant and arrest warrant on February 9, 2023. The defendant’s residence is located in the 1400 block of Linden Street, Reading City.
He was taken into custody and charged with Sexual Abuse of Children – Manufacturing Child Pornography, Sexual Abuse of Children – Dissemination of Child Pornography, Sexual Abuse of Children – Possession of Child Pornography, two (2) counts of Indecent Assault. During the search of the residence several digital devices were seized.
The defendant was transported to the Central Processing Center located at the Berks County Courthouse. He will be fingerprinted and photographed. He had preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Carissa Johnson. Bail was set at $750,000 and he was committed to Berks County Jail.
Additional charges are pending the results of the forensic examinations being conducted on the devices seized from the defendant’s residence.
A Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.