A 61-year-old Brodheadsville man has been charged with possession of child pornography and attempted human trafficking.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Cpl. Jonathan Bailey of the Pennsylvania State Police — Southeast Computer Crimes Task Force in the case against Richard Armstrong:

On Oct. 1, Bailey received three Cyber tip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In addition to these Cyber tips, an additional report was assigned to Bailey after being generated on Sept. 26.

The Cyber tip reports stated that between Aug. 4 and Sept. 26, there were 10 images depicting child pornography uploaded and disseminated on the Kik Messenger platform to another user, with an IP address from Kik accounts. These Kik accounts are associated with email addresses.

Bailey identified these child pornography messages from Armstrong, 61, and a woman.

On Oct. 11, FBI Special Agents responded to the home and contacted Armstrong, at which time Armstrong admitted to using the Kik application and engaged in sexual conversations online in chat groups.

Armstrong communicated with people looking to rent out their children for sex, and he stated that he exchanged photos and videos of naked minor girls online, and that he deleted the content on his device.

On Oct. 23, a noise complaint incident was reported at this address and a PSP Fern Ridge patrol member responded. Armstrong was the complainant at the home. It was reported that Armstrong lives at the residence with the woman.

At around 8:30 a.m. Nov. 1, Bailey conducted surveillance in the area of the address. During this time, photographs of the exterior of the residence were captured.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence.

It was reported that Armstrong was in communication with an undercover special agent, who was posing as a father who was offering sexual contact with his daughter for sex. On On Nov. 8, Bailey interviewed Armstrong outside the residence.

Armstrong acknowledged that he was previously interviewed by FBI agents regarding a related incident, and stated that he was previously on Kik, but is no longer on the app.

Armstrong said he lives with his wife at the residence, and has a biological daughter who he does not have a relationship with and went on the application to get his relationship back.

As a result of this investigation, eight images of child exploitive material were identified on Armstrong’s device, as well as other evidence on devices associated with Armstrong.

On Dec. 2, Bailey contacted an FBI Special Agent regarding this incident who related that Armstrong was identified on Kik during an undercover chat operation in which he referred to himself as “Richie” and expressed interest in having sexual contact with a fictional 14-year-old stepdaughter of the undercover agent.

Within the messages, Armstrong offered to pay for sex acts with the underage child, and planned to travel out of state to engage in these sex acts with the minor. Armstrong also sent multiple images/videos of age difficult and child exploitative material to the undercover agent.

Armstrong faces charges of trafficking in individuals, criminal attempt of human trafficking, criminal attempt of prostitution of a minor, disseminating photo/film of child sex acts, and criminal solicitation for a computer sex act.

He is currently free in lieu of $50,000 unsecured bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Jan. 16 before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.