Franklin man waives hearings in two sex-related cases

A Franklin man accused of distributing child pornography and having unlawful contact with a minor waived both his cases Wednesday in Central Court.

In the first case, Christopher Wayne Douglass, 34, of 174 Maple Grove Circle, is facing charges filed by the state Office of Attorney General that include 21 felony counts of disseminate photo/film of child sex acts, a single count of child pornography and a charge of criminal use of a communication facility.

A criminal complaint filed by Philip J. Larcinese III of the attorney general’s office says Douglass distributed at least 21 computer files that clearly depict children under the age of 18 engaged in sexual acts or poses.

Larcinese, who is with the attorney general’s Bureau of Special Investigations Child Predator Section, also said in the complaint that he personally viewed at least one file Douglass had in his possession that showed children under 18 engaged in sex acts.

Larcinese and another agent met March 8 with Douglass at his home and Douglass told the agents he views child pornography one to two times a week, the complaint said.

Douglass also said he generally searches for children 14 and older, but has also searched for children as young as seven.

Douglass was arraigned before district judge Matthew Kirtland and placed in the Venango County jail on $150,000 bail in connection with the charges.

In the second case – also waived by Douglass – he is charged in connection with incidents several months ago at a church.

Police said Douglass had been asked to mentor a juvenile girl with disabilities at the church and agreed to do so.

Douglass had inappropriate contact with the girl while he was mentoring her and tried to persuade her into becoming his girlfriend, police said.

Douglass was charged with unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, indecent assault of a person with a mental disability and corruption of minors-defendant age 18 or above.

The child pornography case is being prosecuted by Chuck Washburn of the state Attorney General’s office and the unlawful conduct with a minor case is being prosecuted by Venango County district attorney Shawn White.

Douglass is being represented in both cases by attorney Andrew Stiffler.

With the waivers, both of Douglass’ cases will move forward through the court system.