Lehighton man admits possessing child pornography

A Lehighton man admitted in Carbon County court on Monday afternoon to possessing child pornography.

Sean James Balint, 46, entered a plea to the count before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II. In exchange for the plea, a charge of disseminating photo/film of child sex acts was dropped. Both charges are felonies.

Mahoning Township police filed the charges after they received information from the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., police who was monitoring a website and chat site.

The Washington police informed Mahoning police of child pornography being sent from a site traced to Carbon County and specifically a site that Balint had accessed.

The photos being sent included that of a naked 13-year-old girl and in other photos of children performing sex acts.

Balient admitted to transmitting the photos. He has been in the county prison since his arrest, not posting bail.

Nanovic told Balint, under state sentencing guidelines, he faces a minimum prison term of somewhere between six to 14 months up to a maximum of seven years.

Nanovic accepted the plea but deferred sentencing noting the charge falls under the provisions of Megan’s Law. Balint will be evaluated by the state sexual offenders assessment board to determine if he is a violent sexual predator.

If it is determined that he is a violent sexual predator, he will have to register for life as a sexual offender.

Nanovic also ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report.