×

Gallitzin man accused of possessing child porn

Hodgson has been arrested multiple times in the past

A Gallitzin man has been charged with 51 felonies after allegedly possessing more than 140 images of child pornography.

Benjamin A. Hodgson, 29, of 415 Church St., faces 50 child pornography charges and one charge of criminal use of a communication facility, online court documents show.

According to a criminal complaint filed Friday by state police at Ebensburg, troopers received a report about Hodgson’s alleged crimes from a parole agent who noticed “possible computer evidence pertaining to child pornography.”

Hodgson has been arrested multiple times in the past and was charged with similar child-related crimes.

In January, authorities seized a laptop computer from Hodgson’s home, police said.

The laptop was later searched as authorized by a warrant, and investigators found 141 images depicting children, mostly boys, engaging in sex acts or posing while nude, according to the complaint.

In some of the images, the boys were interacting with adult men, police said.

Investigators also checked Hodgson’s internet search history, finding that he had entered terms including “little boy naked” and “little boy shirtless,” according to the complaint.

Hodgson also allegedly told a family member that he “relapsed and that he was searching for child pornography.”

Hodgson was arraigned Friday morning before Magisterial District Judge John Prebish Jr., online documents show.

Cambria County Prison officials said Hodgson posted bail Friday afternoon. It was set at 10 percent of $25,000.

He is to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. July 11.

Mirror Staff Writer Sean Sauro is at 946-7535.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today