Tamaqua man gets probation on child pornography charge

A Tamaqua area man, who was ruled not to be a sexual predator, escaped a prison sentence but received a long probation sentence for his involvement with pornography.

Craig York, 25, Hometown, was placed on probation for two years by Judge Charles M. Miller after the court ruled he was not a sexually violent predator and had no prior record. York was found guilty by a jury following a trial last September of a charge of sexual abuse of childlren because he had possession of child pornography as charged by Cpl. Henry Woods, Tamaqua police. York tried to explain to the jury that he was working on a book and needed the material for the book.

Miller also ordered York to pay a fine of $100, court costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account fund and a $50 per month supervision fee. He also must not possess any pornographic material, have no unsupervised contact with minors, cannot use the internet system at his home and undergo evaluation and comply with any treatment ordered.

After the defendant's father, Lynn York, testified he and his wife are both truck drivers and need the computer in their home for business, Miller ruled the computer could to be in the home.