TIP FROM MESSAGING APP LEADS TO CHARGES OF IRWIN MAN

A tip from a messaging application led state police to charging an Irwin man with child pornography possession.  The Trib reports that 34-year-old Joshua Ward now faces 10 counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material and related crimes.  The tip came from the messaging service Kik, which contained a video file showing child pornography involving a girl between 5 and 8 years of age, according to the Westmoreland County DA’s office.  Investigators were able to get an IP address that lead them to Ward, and state police seized several devices on a search warrant.  The DA’s office said Multiple files of child sexual abuse material were found on Ward’s phone.  He is now in Westmoreland County Jail on $50,000 bail.  A preliminary hearing is set for July 29th.