HARRISBURG — Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer today announced the filing of additional criminal charges against two alleged Luzerne County drug dealers accused of engaging in sexual acts with a minor and videotaping the alleged abuse.
The new charges against Timothy A. Seabridge Jr., 25, and Angel F. Gonzalez, 23, are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section, the OAG’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office. Pennsylvania State Police also provided assistance.
According to criminal complaints filed in support of the charges, a court-approved search of Seabridge’s cell phone led investigators to recover a video that captured Seabridge and Gonzalez engaging in sexual acts with a 16-year-old boy. Both men were also charged in September with manufacturing crystal methamphetamine.
“Not only are these men accused of selling a deadly substance for their own gain, but the investigation showed they also sexually violated a minor,” Attorney General Beemer said. “This was an example of agents from our office working cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies to identify two alleged child predators who are now facing very serious criminal charges.”
A prior drug investigation led investigators to obtain a search warrant for a residence located in the first block of Regent Street in Wilkes-Barre. During the search, which was conducted in September, investigators seized a number of items consistent with the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine.
Seabridge and Gonzalez were arrested at the time of the search. The charges filed at that time against the two men are still pending.
The investigation continued and led investigators to obtain multiple search warrants for cell phones seized during the September search. The Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit analyzed those devices. Apparent images of child pornography were identified as part of the analysis.
A further review of images and videos led investigators to identify a video recorded this past summer that depicts Seabridge and Gonzalez engaging in sexual acts with the minor. Nude images of the minor were also found on the review of Seabridge’s cell phone, investigators stated. Investigators through further investigation confirmed the identity of the minor and are working to assure he receives appropriate assistance.
Seabridge, of the 100 block of Maple Tree Road, Dallas, is charged with four counts of sexual abuse of children (photographing, videotaping, depicting on a computer or filming sexual acts), three counts of possession of child pornography, two additional counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of corruption of minors and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Gonzalez, of the same address, is charged with four counts of sexual abuse of children (photographing, videotaping, depicting on a computer or filming sexual acts), two counts of corruption of minors and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Both men are being held in the Luzerne County Prison. Bail was set for each at $250,000. Preliminary hearings are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 15.
Attorney General Beemer stressed this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are possible. Anyone with information on the individuals charged in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the office by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.
Attorney General Beemer thanked Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and the Pennsylvania State Police for their work on this investigation.
The defendants will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
SOURCE: OAG Press Office
