13 Arrested In Child Pornography Sweep In Berks County
By Syma Chowdhry
READING, Pa. (CBS) -- Thirteen people are arrested after officials in Berks County conducted a child pornography sweep.
Berks County District Attorney John Adams says, "Possessing images of child sexual abuse is a heinous crime and will not be tolerated in Berks County."
Twelve men, plus a 17-year-old boy, are facing several charges for possessing and disseminating thousands of images.
Chief Deputy D.A. Jonathon Kurland says,"When you distribute it or disseminate it or propagate it throughout the internet, the child is being exploited not just once but several times over."
Authorities conducted the sweep for the past year and half.
Berks County District Attorney John Adams says the 12 men come from all different walks of life, from professionals to general laborers, but now they are facing jail time.
"It could ruin their lives, so why they continue to participate in this type of behavior is difficult to comprehend."
One of the men is a respected doctor. Steven Schwartz is a neurologist.
We went to his office in Wyomissing, but employees did not want to comment.
The DA says the arrests should send a message to those who continue to download child pornography.
"We're going to catch you, you are going to get arrested and suffer the consequences."
Each count the men are charged with can carry a maximum seven years in jail.
