Two major cases highlight ongoing child exploitation investigations and prosecutions
WEST CHESTER, PA – Two separate cases involving child exploitation and trafficking moved forward this week in Chester County, with prosecutors announcing new charges against a West Chester man and a lengthy prison sentence for a Spring City man convicted of abusing minors.
David Rosa, 54, of West Chester, was charged April 2 with possession of child sexual abuse material and related offenses following an investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Erin Bruno and remanded to Chester County Prison after failing to post $200,000 cash bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday at approximately 9:00 a.m.
According to the criminal complaint, Chester County Detectives received 24 cyber-tip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through the Delaware County ICAC Task Force. The tips, submitted by Google, involved six Gmail accounts with similar identifying information and contained hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent girls between the ages of 2 and 6.
Investigation into cyber tips and victim identification
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “Our Detectives have partnered with the West Whiteland Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to try and identify the victims depicted. If you believe you have information regarding this investigation, please contact Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.”
Officials are urging the public to report suspected child abuse or exploitation. Authorities advise calling 911 in emergencies or contacting Childline at 1-800-932-0313, where reports can be made anonymously.
In a separate case announced the same day, Kevin Pethtel, 55, of Spring City, was sentenced to 40 to 80 years in state prison by Judge Patrick C. Carmody after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including trafficking minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, and drug delivery to minors.
Details of trafficking case and sentencing
Pethtel was originally arrested in October 2023 after investigators determined he sexually abused a 15-year-old girl and provided her with methamphetamine. During the investigation, two additional victims came forward, reporting similar abuse. Authorities said the defendant supplied methamphetamine and fentanyl to the victims, who were between 15 and 16 years old, and demanded sexual acts and explicit images as payment.
Investigators also found that Pethtel arranged meetings across Chester, Berks, and Montgomery counties and escalated his actions by injecting one victim with fentanyl before engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “These victims demonstrated incredible bravery both by coming forward against the defendant and overcoming the addiction he facilitated. This case demonstrates how disturbing and dangerous human trafficking can be.”
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