PITTSBURGH, PA — A man faces hundreds of criminal charges after allegedly placing hidden cameras in a Pittsburgh-area home to produce what authorities term child sexual abuse material.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges on Wednesday against Adam Benjamin Arena, 46, now a resident of Montgomery County near Philadelphia.
He has been charged with more than 100 felonies, including production and possession of child abuse material, as well as dozens of misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy.
Arena was denied bail at his arraignment hearing.
An investigation by the attorney general's office child predator section and the Brownsville Police Department revealed that Arena installed a hidden camera in a shower-bathroom area to record a child undressing.
Investigators determined Arena concealed at least one camera in a shampoo bottle, which was discovered by the child victim.
Investigators also found multiple devices owned by Arena with videos and images he obtained via hidden cameras. Some videos show Arena installing the camera and retrieving it
“This is abhorrent conduct that has no place in a civilized society,” Sunday said in a news release.
“Along with our law enforcement partners, our commitment to protect children will not waver, as these are some of the worst crimes imaginable."
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Pittsburgh, PA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.