Trending
From Mirror staff reports
A city man is behind bars on 26 charges, including felony counts of child pornography and unlawful contact with a minor.
Steven James Ellis, 32, was arraigned Friday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Paula M. Aigner on six felony charges each of child pornography and unlawful contact with a minor-sexual abuse of children, two felony charges each of corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses and single felony counts each of aggravated indecent assault, criminal attempt-statutory sexual assault, criminal attempt-contact with a minor-sexual abuse and criminal solicitation-child pornography, along with misdemeanor charges of indecent assault, loitering corruption of minors and criminal attempt-tamper with evidence.
Unable to post $250,000 bail, he was remanded to the Blair County Prison. His preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 10 before Aigner.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, a 14-year-old female told police she made a Tinder profile with a fake age. On Sept. 15, her profile was matched with Ellis and the two exchanged phone numbers and began a text message conversation. Ellis sent the victim numerous sexually explicit text messages, court documents state. He also sent nude photos of himself and his genitals. The victim also sent explicit photos to Ellis, the report states.
On Sept. 18, the juvenile told Ellis she was only 14 years old. Despite knowing her age, the victim said Ellis still wanted to meet up with her. About 11 p.m. that night, she met Ellis along Pond Street in Frankstown Township, where he kissed her and touched her body, court documents state.
Police seized the victim's phone and found text message conversations between the two in which Ellis tells the victim to delete his messages so he doesn't get in trouble, but the two continue to make plans to meet.
According to court documents, Ellis tells the girl "you can't get me in trouble" and "Yeah, but your trouble doesn't end you up on a list that like pretty removes your rights to be a human being and people will look at me for being a certain way for the rest of my life if we get caught."
At one point, Ellis replies to a text from the victim stating he wants to meet her, even though she is 14. "I do but now I'm like instilled with a great fear of prison time."
After the two met on Sept. 18, they continued to make plans to meet again until the girl's mother discovered the text messages, police reported.
Police canvassed the neighborhood where the two met and found Ring doorbell footage of Ellis' vehicle on Pond Street, the report states.