Pennsylvania man faces more than 1,000 counts of child porn possession after Chatham County investigation
Christopher Steven Foster faces more than 1,000 counts of child pornography possession after investigators with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office identified him in connection with a local victim.
Posted — UpdatedA Pennsylvania man is facing more than 1,000 counts of child pornography possession after investigators with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office identified him in connection with a local victim.
Christopher Steven Foster, 29, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, is charged with 500 counts of felony second-degree child pornography, 500 counts of felony third-degree child pornography, one count of felony dissemination of child pornography, one count of felony dissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and films, two felony counts of photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sex acts, two misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors, two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor and two felony counts of criminal use of communication facility.
Authorities set Foster’s bail at $200,000. His first court appearance was set for Jan. 3.
On Nov. 30, 2023, investigators with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office’s Family Violence Unit received a report of a juvenile who, while playing “Fortnite” on Xbox, had been asked by an adult male for sexually explicit videos and photographs.
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said Foster convinced two children for sexually explicit videos and photographs through the instant messaging platform Discord and instant messaging app Snapchat. Foster also sent them money in exchange for videos and photographs, the sheriff’s office said.
With evidence obtained by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania authorities executed a search warrant at Foster’s home, discovering in the search approximately 165,000 files depicting child pornography on his electronic devices.
The sheriff’s office notified the Pennsylvania State Police’s Northeast Computer Crimes Unit as well as Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Investigators for help.
Safety tips for children’s online safety
- The U.S. Department of Justice recommends the following safety tips for a child’s safety while online:
- Discuss internet safety and develop an online safety plan with children before they engage in online activity. Establish clear guidelines, teach children to spot red flags, and encourage children to have open communication with you.
- Supervise young children’s use of the internet, including periodically checking their profiles and posts. Keep electronic devices in open, common areas of the home and consider setting time limits for their use.
- Adjust privacy settings and use parental controls for online games, apps, social medial sites, and electronic devices.
- Tell children to avoid sharing personal information, photos, and videos online in public forums or with people they do not know in real life. Explain to your children that images posted online will be permanently on the internet.
- Encourage children to tell a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anyone asks them to engage in sexual activity or other inappropriate behavior.
- Immediately report suspected online enticement or sexual exploitation of a child by calling 911.
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