Ligonier man facing child pornography charges after investigation, police say
A Ligonier 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.
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.
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. Additional charges are pending. 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.
