Ligonier man facing child pornography charges after investigation, police say

A Ligonier, Pennsylvania, man is facing child pornography charges following an investigation into allegations that he had inappropriate contact with minors, according to a news release from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office.

Terry Barr, 80, has been charged with child pornography and possession of child sexual abuse material, police said. 

The investigation began after allegations surfaced that Barr had inappropriate relations with minors.

According to police, investigators spoke with a victim who was 12 years old at the time of their contact with Barr. The victim told police that Barr presented himself as a "mentor and trusted adult" and offered to pay the victim and a friend for doing work around his home.

"What I am receiving now from the community, obviously they were kind of shocked, especially where he lives in town. He was obviously involved with the community in certain aspects, and where I guess you really don't know what's going on at your next-door neighbors," said Ligonier Valley Police Chief Michael Matrunics.

The victim alleged that Barr later offered the boys additional money if they would "play" for him. Police said the boys told investigators they were instructed to pose naked for Barr.

The alleged conduct continued, the victim said, until Barr lost interest as the boys got older. The victims also told police that Barr attempted to get them to find other children for him.

"It is very tough. These cases are very difficult to navigate through and understand. Obviously, it took all this time for this victim to come forward. So, what's to say there's not other victims that haven't been able to do that or want to proceed forward? And I guess we will wait to see what happens with that and follow up on their information if they are obviously willing to support their information, they are willing to provide, and to be a victim. We want to support them," Chief Matrunics said.

Ligonier Valley police recently executed a search warrant at Barr's home on West Church Street. Investigators seized electronic devices, cameras and other recording devices.

With assistance from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office's digital forensics examiner, police said they recovered multiple devices containing child sexual abuse material, including photos and videos involving male juveniles.

Police said images of the victim who reported the allegations were also recovered.

According to police, Barr told investigators that the material had been downloaded from the internet and that everyone depicted in the images was over 18. He also allegedly denied taking photographs of boys.

Barr was taken into custody and denied bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4.

Anyone with additional information about Barr is asked to contact Ligonier Valley police at 724-238-5105.