D.A. Joins Emmaus Teen Porn Probe

Lehigh County’s district attorney has confirmed that his office is involved in an investigation into on a pornographic website.

“I have decided to confirm that there is an investigation to assure the public
that my office and other agencies are conducting a joint investigation to determine who, if anyone, will be charged,” said District Attorney James Martin, who is up for re-election this November.

The initial objective will be to remove “offending materials from a website,” he added. Martin said in a press release that there is no evidence photos were taken on school property.

An online image board where users can post raunchy photos – with or without a subject’s consent – is one of the sites where nude pictures
of teenage girls are showing up. The site also contains at least one photo of a girl identified as a Parkland High School student.

Several Emmaus students told Patch that the photo-sharing scandal is old news among kids but only recently came to the attention of parents. One thread includes a photo of a topless teen – her face clearly visible - identified as “some Emmaus girl.” Other pictures are identified with a nickname or even a complete first and last name followed by the words “from Emmaus.”

The photos range from girls posing in bikinis or underwear to full frontal nudity and even more graphic pictures. Users can search the site by state or by topics like “skinny,” “plump,” “military” and even “brides,” in addition to X-rated terms. Some people on the site use their area code for identification or to seek photos of girls from their locale.

began investigating how nude photos got on the site after parents complained. Multiple students told Patch that the scandal started with boys – including members of the lacrosse team - sharing pictures of ex-girlfriends. Some girls have bragged about being on the site while others are embarrassed and appalled.

Students and now researchers say it’s , share graphic images and post extremely personal content online.

Lehigh County prosecutors and a child abuse investigator met Tuesday with representatives of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Task Force coordinator for southeastern Pennsylvania.

The investigation includes the Attorney General’s Office Child Predator Unit, the Emmaus Police Department, the Berks-Lehigh Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Task Force and detectives in the Lehigh County Computer Crimes Task Force at the of Lehigh County, which is on the campus of DeSales University in Center Valley.

Martin asked for the public to be patient as this investigation “could involve a very time-consuming process.”

Schools can schedule a presentation on the dangers of sexting. Christie Bonesch, chief of administration in the district attorney's office, will talk with students about the legal consequences of sexting and what can happen if they are charged as an adult or juvenile. To schedule a presentation, call the district attorney’s office at 610-782-3100.