Delaware County Man Indicted on Multiple Child Exploitation Charges

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that John C. Dellarocco, Jr., 24, of Holmes, Pennsylvania was indicted today on four counts of use of an interstate commerce facility to entice and attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct, seven counts of manufacture and attempted manufacture of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

These charges arise from an investigation into the defendant’s communications with at least eleven minor female children on an Internet-based application in which the defendant persuaded the girls to engage in sexual activity and sexually explicit conduct by photographing themselves engaging in that conduct and transmitting the images to the defendant via the Internet.

“Child exploitation is a pervasive problem – made more so by the accessibility of the Internet and digital media – that demands an aggressive response,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.  “The allegations in this case are particularly disturbing because of the number of children the defendant was able to target and communicate with on the Internet.  We stand ready with our federal and local partners to identify and prosecute those who would prey upon minor children.”

“Child predators who produce child pornography are among the worst offenders. The FBI and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to protect children from predators like Dellarocco. Today's Indictment sends the message that the FBI remains committed to pursuing justice for these young victims,” said FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Harpster.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Delaware County District Attorney's Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roberta Benjamin.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.