Tyrone child porn suspects face more charges
New evidence in probe prompts additional counts
Friday
Reese
Woomer
Friday
Reese
Woomer
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BELLEFONTE -- The three Tyrone men alleged to have operated a child pornography production ring since the 1990s have all been charged with additional felony counts as the investigation into the scale of the suspected abuse uncovers new evidence.
Samuel Friday, 67, allegedly used offers of cash payments to lure juveniles into his Tyrone basement to perform and film sexual acts with him, alongside accomplices Michael Woomer, 66, and Morris Reese, 64, according to court documents.
According to Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna, this alleged abuse may have begun in the 1990s, but the full extent and number of victims is currently unknown.
Two alleged victims have been identified so far, Cantorna said, but more may come forward as state police investigators work through a cache of evidence recovered from Friday's home and a substantial number of tips called in by the public.
In light of the ongoing investigation and interviews conducted with the two victims, Cantorna's office withdrew the initial charges filed against the three men in favor of expanded charges late Tuesday evening.
All three men were originally charged with 10 identical felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, which have been withdrawn and replaced.
Friday is now charged with two felony counts of human trafficking - recruitment, two felony charges of patronizing victims of human trafficking, 10 counts of felony photographing/videotaping a sex act, along with the original 10 felony counts of possession of child pornography.
Woomer faces one felony charge of patronizing a victim of human trafficking and 10 counts of felony photographing/videotaping a sex act.
Reese is charged with two felony counts of human trafficking - recruitment, two felony counts of patronizing a victim of human trafficking and 10 charges of felony photographing/videotaping a sex act.
Cantorna said during a Monday press conference that additional charges may be filed as new victims are identified.
All three men are incarcerated without bail in the Centre County Correctional Facility awaiting preliminary hearings.
Preliminary hearings had been scheduled for Nov. 26, but in light of the new charges, the hearings were rescheduled for Dec. 10.
Anyone with information should contact state police Trooper Jonathan Hodges at 814-355-7545 or County Detective John Aston at 814-355-6735.
Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.