The Berks County District Attorney’s Office, following complaints from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, identified and charged David Fasnacht Jr. for Child Pornography file sharing after detectives say a search of his residence uncovered explicit digital files.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the Berks County Detective’s received several complaints from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, involving Child Pornography file sharing incidents utilizing the internet/web application ‘Snapchat’.
An investigation was initiated by the Berks County Detectives. As part of this investigation, numerous administrative subpoenas were served upon internet service providers and cellular telephone service providers. This eventually led to the identification of David Fasnacht Jr. as the suspect in these file sharing incidents.
Detectives executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. Numerous electronic devices were seized during this search.
As a result of a forensic analysis conducted on the defendant’s electronic devices by the Berks County District Attorney’s Forensic Services Unit, digital files of nude juvenile males were discovered on an Apple iPhone belonging to the Defendant. In addition, it was discovered that this same cellular device had been utilized to participate in ‘Snapchat’ electronic communications with several young males where nude images were exchanged.
Further investigation positively identified two juvenile males who had previously sent nude images of themselves to the defendant when they were between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. Both males informed investigators that they believed that they were communicating with a female of a similar age prior to sending these nude images.
On Monday, January 9, 2024, the Defendant was charged with Sexual Abuse of Children – Manufacturing Child Pornography (2 counts), Sexual Abuse of Children – Possession of Child Pornography (2 counts), Unlawful Contact with a Minor (2 counts), Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (3 counts), and Corruption of Minors (2 counts).
On Tuesday, January 10, 2024, the Defendant surrendered to members of the Berks County Detectives. The Defendant was taken to the Central Processing Center located at the Berks County Courthouse. He will be fingerprinted and photographed. The defendant is expected to be arraigned later Wednesday afternoon.
A Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
