MANHEIM, Pa. — Police have charged a Lancaster County man with multiple offenses relating to child pornography after he allegedly had sexually explicit online conversations with a 13-year-old girl.
Frank Yang Liu, 31, of Manheim, is charged with possession of child pornography, dissemination of photographs/children, unlawful contact with a minor, solicitation to commit sexual assault, corruption of minors, dissemination of explicit sexual content to a minor, and criminal use of a communication facility, according to Northern Lancaster County Regional Police.
Authorities began investigating Liu in March when NLCRPD was contacted by a special agent with the FBI regarding the suspected sexual exploitation of a minor. The agent told investigators a suspect, later identified as Liu, was exchanging sexually explicit material involving children to a 13-year-old victim via Instagram.
NLCRPD detectives traced the Instagram account used in the alleged exchanges to Liu, along with multiple IP addresses, according to the criminal complaint affidavit.
During the investigation, evidence showed that Liu had been reaching out to a female victim who was reported to be 13 years old. The investigation determined Liu was aware of the victim's age and had discussed it with her.
Liu also allegedly exchanged pornographic photos of children with the victim and had explicit conversations with her during the time he was in contact, according to police.
He also attempted to coerce the girl into sending sexually explicit images and videos of herself to him, police stated.
A forensic examination of Liu's cell phone recovered 19 videos depicting suspected child pornography, the complaint stated.
Liu allegedly admitted to creating the Instagram account used in the exchanges with the victim, claiming the conversations were "role play."
Liu was arrested this week and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Torrey J. Landis, who set bail at $150,000. A formal arraignment has been scheduled for Dec. 13, according to court records.
