Downingtown Man, Philly Schools Worker Had Child Porn Stash: D.A.

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Downingtown man faces more than 100 charges related to child pornography after an investigation connected his email address to 145 uploaded sexually explicit images of girls ages 6 to 10, law enforcement reported. today.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office said Daniel Gaudiello, 45, of Downingtown, is charged with 50 counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography, 50 counts of Child Pornography, and Criminal Use of a Communications Facility after Chester County Detectives allegedly found him in possession of over 200 images of child pornography.

The D.A.'s report said Gaudiello is an employee of the Philadelphia School District.

A criminal complaint against Gaudiello said in May 2021, Chester County Detectives received two cyber tips, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, that 145 images of child pornography were uploaded to an internet provider.

The images had been sent to and from a Yahoo email address between February 2019 and April 2021 and showed naked prepubescent females between 6 and 10 years of age in sexually suggestive dress and poses, according to the report.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "It is sickening to think of the innocent young children who were posed and photographed to satisfy the degenerate behavior of the defendant and others like him. The sexual abuse of children happens far too frequently in Chester County, and my office is determined to put a stop to it."

Detectives traced the IP address to Gaudiello's Winding Way home in Downingtown and after obtaining a warrant searched it on May 19, the report said.

A police forensic search of the computers and thumb drives seized turned up more than 200 images depicting child pornography, according to the report. The complaint said Gaudiello had uploaded and distributed the pornographic material across the internet.

The defendant was released on $100,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is set for July 21 before Magisterial Judge Jeffrey Valocchi.

Chester County Detectives are investigating. Christine Abatemarco is the assigned prosecutor.

The District Attorney asked that people sign up for the Stewards of Children virtual workshop to learn how to recognize, react to, and prevent child abuse. Anyone interested may email County Coordinator Kate Walters at kwalters@chesco.org.

ICAC provides personnel and funding for investigations related to the exploitation of children on the Internet. ICAC is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, based in Washington, DC.

In Chester County, the ICAC Task Force comprises investigators from Chester County Detectives and local municipalities. If you suspect child abuse, call Childline at 1-800-932-0313.

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