Latest news with #NortheastPennsylvaniaComputerCrimesTaskForce
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Child sexual abuse materials, drug trafficking and firearms arrests in Scranton
SCRANTON — Two Scranton men are facing felony charges following a Feb. 6 search of their residence, according to Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher. Lawrence Ortiz Sr., 42, of 805 Columbia St.. is charged with illegal possession a firearm, possession with intent to deliver narcotics and other offenses. Lawrence Ortiz Jr. 19, at the same address, is charged with possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials and other offenses. According to a criminal complaint: On Feb. 6, members of the Northeast Pennsylvania Computer Crimes Task Force, Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit and Lackawanna County detectives served a search warrant on the residence following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone from the address was uploading child sexual abuse materials to Snapchat and KIK. Investigators entered the residence and encountered Ortiz Sr. coming out of a bedroom where three handguns were later found. Officers noted Ortiz Sr. is prohibited from owning a firearm due to a 2017 felony drug conviction. Investigators also spoke with Ortiz Jr., who admitted that the Snapchat and KIK accounts belonged to him, and he had uploaded sexual child abuse material in order to sell it to an unnamed man in New York. Ortiz Jr. told investigators he forwarded the images to the unnamed man, but hadn't received money from him as promised. During a subsequent search, investigators found three handguns including a 'ghost gun,' multiple boxes of ammunition, quantities of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, packaging material and electronic devices used to download child sexual abuse material. 'This case exemplifies law enforcement's commitment to collaborate and aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit children, traffic deadly narcotics, and possess illegal firearms,' Gallagher said. 'We remain steadfast in our mission to make the streets of Lackawanna County safer.' Ortiz Sr. remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail. Ortiz Jr. remains at the prison in lieu of $20,000 bail. Ortiz Sr.'s hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Feb. 20 before District Judge Laura Turlip. Ortiz Jr.'s hearing was Feb. 18 before Turlip; the case was transferred to the Court of Common Pleas.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Child porn tip leads to gun, drug charges
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two Scranton men have been charged by the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office for alleged possession of child pornography, guns, and drugs. According to the Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher, their office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone in the 800 block of Columbia Street in Scranton's Green Ridge section was uploading suspected child pornography to Snapchat. Gallagher says that on February 6th, the Northeast Pennsylvania Computer Crimes Task Force, along with the Lackawanna County Detectives and Scranton Police executed a search warrant at the home. Upon a search of the house, police found three handguns, including a ghost gun, multiple boxes of ammunition, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and electronic devices used to possess and download child pornography, according to the release. Police arrested Lawrence Ortiz Sr., 42, and Lawrence Ortiz Jr., 19, who both lived in the home. Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said the following about the arrest: 'This case exemplifies law enforcement's commitment to collaborate and aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit children, traffic deadly narcotics, and possess illegal firearms,' said District Attorney Gallagher. 'We remain steadfast in our mission to make the streets of Lackawanna County safer.' Ortiz Sr. is facing gun and drug charges while Ortiz Jr. faces child pornography and other related charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
