Friday

A Tyrone man charged with possessing child pornography is also suspected of soliciting and producing the material, according to the Centre County District Attorney’s Office.

Samuel Friday, 67, was arraigned Tuesday on 10 felony charges of possessing child sexual abuse material. He was denied bail due to “pending charges related to physical acts; victims afraid of retaliation,” states the docket filed in the case.

On Wednesday, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna held a news conference and issued a press release detailing the investigation.

While the investigation is in the early stages, state police have already received calls about the case and believe Friday was involved for years in soliciting and producing the material, Cantorna said.

According to court documents, state police at Rockview received ChildLine notifications on Nov. 13 that allege Friday was paying underage teens to perform sex acts in his Taylor Township home.

State police executed a search warrant on the home shortly before 8 p.m. Monday.

Located during the search were numerous photographs, videotapes and electronic storage drives containing sexually explicit material, the report states.

In addition, officers located a bed in Friday’s basement, along with provocative outfits, a wall-mounted digital camera and sex toys.

While a review of that material is ongoing and will take time, the DA’s office said, investigators have identified several sexually explicit images and files depicting individuals either known or suspected to be teenagers under the age of 18.

Also, two juveniles are already known to law enforcement, and the investigation into the identity of others is ongoing, the release states.

The district attorney’s office suspects Friday of inviting underage teenagers to his basement and paying them cash in exchange for a range of sexual conduct and sexual activity — sometimes with him and sometimes while being photographed or recorded.

The affidavit of probable cause notes that police found a file with more than 200 photos and videos of child pornography and abuse of a child.

Police reportedly found images depicting Friday and other men performing sex acts on juveniles, the affidavit states.

During an interview with police, Friday allegedly admitted to taking nude photographs of juveniles and that he had some sexual involvement, according to the affidavit.

It is expected that Friday will face additional charges as the investigation moves forward, officials said.

Cantorna is urging anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Trooper Jonathan Hodges at the PSP Rockview Barracks, 814-355-7545, or contact county Detective John Aston at the District Attorney’s Office, 814-355-6735.

“We know that coming forward can be difficult. It can feel overwhelming, emotional, or intimidating,” Cantorna said. “But I want to assure you, you are not alone. Our team of prosecutors, investigators and victim-advocacy professionals are here to listen, to support you and to guide you through every step of the process. When victims and witnesses come forward, it strengthens our ability to uncover the truth and hold offenders accountable.”