Update – 08/16/24: As a result of this ongoing investigation, the contents of a cellular telephone that was seized from the defendant were reviewed by investigators. This additional analysis led investigators to suspect that several digital videos of CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) recovered from the cellular telephone may have been created/produced by the defendant.
Investigators determined that an adult male who was partially depicted in these digital videos had a unique tattoo visible on his right forearm. Additionally, investigators recognized that the background in these digital videos appeared to be the interior of the defendant’s apartment. Lastly, investigators were able to positively identify a child who was observed in the videos.
On August 7, 2024, a forensic interview was conducted with the victim child from the digital videos. The victim disclosed that they had spent time at the defendant’s residence and that the Defendant had acted sexually inappropriate in their presence.
On August 15, 2024, members of the Berks County Detectives executed a second search warrant at the defendant’s apartment. Investigators photographed the interior of the apartment and confirmed that it was the same location where the videos were created. Additionally, investigators confirmed that the previously mentioned tattoo on the forearm of the male in the videos, matched the tattoo on the defendant’s right forearm.
On August 15, 2024, the defendant was taken into custody and charged with additional criminal offenses including, Manufacturing Child Pornography, Indecent Assault, Criminal Use of a Communications Facility, Corruption of Minors, and Indecent Exposure.
On August 15, 2024, the defendant was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Carissa L. Johnson and was committed to the Berks County Jail on $150,000 bail.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Original post: The Berks County District Attorney’s Office has charged 28-year-old Kristopher W. Tanner of Reading, PA with possession of child pornography and related offenses, officials announced this week.
In October of 2023, the Berks County Detective’s Office received a complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (N.C.M.E.C.), involving the file sharing of child pornography utilizing the Internet/web application ‘SnapChat’.
An investigation was initiated by Berks County Detectives. As part of this investigation, administrative subpoenas were served on the electronic service provider and the internet service provider. This led detectives to an apartment located on South 7th Street in the City of Reading. Physical surveillance of this address determined that the defendant was residing there.
In April of 2024, members of the Berks County Detectives served a search warrant at the defendant’s apartment. Two cellular telephones and a laptop computer were seized.
As a result of a forensic analysis conducted on the defendant’s electronic devices by the Berks County District Attorney’s Forensic Services Unit, numerous digital files of child pornography were discovered on one of the seized devices.
On Monday, May 6, 2024, the defendant was charged with Sexual Abuse of Children – Possession of Child Pornography and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility. An arrest warrant was issued for the defendant by Magisterial District Judge Carissa L. Johnson.
On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the defendant was taken into custody in Colechester, Chittenden County, Vermont by law enforcement members of the ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force.
The defendant is currently being held at the Colechester (VT) Police Department and is awaiting extradition and arraignment on these charges.
A Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
