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HARRISBURG —A Luzerne County man is among four people arrested and charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s office announced Tuesday.

George L. Strickland, 45, of 6 Pearl St., Hunlock Creek, was arrested following an undercover investigation where agents sought to identify persons using a file sharing network to obtain child pornography, according to a news release from the AG’s Office.

During the investigation, a computer was identified with files containing suspected child pornography. The IP address linked to the computer was associated with Strickland, the release states.

Agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and the Lehman Township and Jackson Township police departments executed a search warrant at Strickland’s residence. Multiple electronic devices were examined on scene by a computer forensics agent and numerous files indicative of child pornography were found, according to the AG’s Office.

Strickland is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography, 74 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility after failing to post $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17.

Kane thanked the Lehman Township and Jackson Township police departments for assisting with Strickland’s arrest.

The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

The other defendants arrested and charged in separate cases are Anthony Henry Lezzo, 62, of Wind Gap, Northampton County; Marcus Alan Bogden, 19, of Montgomery, Lycoming County; and Wayne Stanford Keen III, 34, of Williamsport, Lycoming County.

The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section has now apprehended more than 140 suspected child predators in 2015.

Suspected child predators can be reported to the Office of Attorney General by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Individuals who suspect an online predator or child sexual abuse can also send an anonymous tip to the office by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.

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By Steve Mocarsky

[email protected]

Reach Steve Mocarsky at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @TLSteveMocarsky.