Jim Thorpe man sentenced to state prison for possessing child pornography

A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term Thursday morning in the county court after previously admitting possessing and sharing child pornography.

Michael Joseph Harman, 33, of Jim Thorpe, will spend at least two and up to six years in a state correctional institution and another four years on state probation, Judge Steven R. Serfass ruled.

Harman had reached a plea deal with the state Attorney General’s office to plea to two counts of disseminating photographs/film of child sex acts. In exchange for the plea, the AG office agreed to drop counts of child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.

Harman was charged by the child predator section of the AG office for sexually exploiting children on the internet.

According to the AG allegations, Harman committed the sexual abuse of children crimes between May 7 and July 19, 2018.

The affidavit of probable cause states personnel from Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police, executed a search warrant at Harman’s residence in July 19, 2018.

They identified Harman as the sole user of a Tumblr account that was referred to the AG office from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children.

The affidavit said NCMEC received a cyber tip by Tumblr.com that indicated the posting of sexually explicit images of children.

The files were reviewed and it was confirmed they depicted children under the age of 18 engaged in sexual acts and/or posing in what is believed to be child pornography in violation of a section of the state’s crimes code relating to sexual abuse of children.

A subpoena was issued to identify Harman through his internet account.

When police searched his residence, Harman admitted using the Tumblr application for about the a year. He told officials he observed child pornography habitually, and also viewed adult pornography.

Harman admitted he would repost pictures of children on his own blog because, he said, he “did not have any friends and is anti-social,” the affidavit states.

On Thursday, Harman apologized for his actions. “I like to apologize to my family for my actions. I apologize to the community. I spent many years in trying to help people.”

Attorney Gregory Lee Mousseau, chief public defender, presented the court with letters from family and friends in support of Harman. He said those individuals were still supportive of him despite what he did.

Deputy Attorney General Michelle Walsh said that “these are not victimless crimes.” She said Harman not only viewed the images of young children performing sex acts, but shared them with others. She asked Serfass to follow the plea agreement of a state prison term.

Serfass said Harman’s actions were “shameful and wrong.” He said he victimized innocent children.

Harman was evaluated by the state sexual offenders board and found not to be a violent sexual offender.

Serfass ordered that Harman must register for the next 25 years as a sexual offender and follow any registration requirements as detailed in Megan’s Law.

Serfass also ordered Harman to submit a DNA sample, submit to sexual offenders counseling and have no contact with minor children, except his own.

Harman, who has been in prison since his arrest, was given credit for 246 days already served.