MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA – A 24-year-old man from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has been apprehended on various charges related to sexually assaulting a child and recording the disturbing incident, announced Attorney General Michelle Henry.
The accused, Joshua Warner, a resident of Elkins Park, now faces a total of seven felony charges. These include two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, manufacturing child [censored]ography, possession of child [censored]ography, and criminal use of a communication facility.
Law enforcement officers executed Warner’s arrest at his residence on Thursday, and he is currently being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Subsequently, he was presented before the court for arraignment on Friday, where his bail was set at $250,000.
According to investigations conducted jointly by the Office of the Attorney General and the Upper Moreland Township Police Department, Warner initially established contact with the victim through the social media platform Discord. The two individuals maintained communication through this platform, which ultimately led to the unfortunate series of events.
Attorney General Henry expressed her concern regarding the dangers posed by social media, stating, “These charges show the opportunities social media presents to predators who hide online under the cover of anonymity. As if the sexual assault of a child is not horrific enough, this defendant chose to film the crimes. My office will continue to find and prosecute those who prey upon children.”
It was determined that Warner had arranged a face-to-face meeting with the 14-year-old victim, whom he had been communicating with on Discord. During this meeting, he engaged in unlawful sexual acts with the minor, fully aware of her age.
Authorities have emphasized their commitment to apprehending and bringing to justice those who exploit and harm children. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and caution in online interactions, particularly