PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – Punxsutawney-based State Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit continues to investigate the abuse of several juvenile females by two known adult suspects, according to a release issued late Saturday morning.
(Photo: Kevin Kight)
Police say the investigation was initiated after approximately 74 pornographic images were discovered on a cell phone belonging to 42-year-old Kevin Kight of Punxsutawney.
Kight’s Punxsutawney residence was searched and police seized additional media devices. Investigators say the devices will be analyzed by the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Lab.
Additional information was uncovered during the investigation that lead to the arrest of a 40-year-old Rebecca Caroline Gardner, of Indiana. She is accused of taking and sending pornographic photographs of a 4-year-old female victim to Kight, per his request.
Court records show that Kight has been charged with 74 felony counts of Sexual Abuse of Children.
Kight was arraigned before Judge Douglas Chambers and lodged in the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $30,000 cash bail.
Gardner has been charged with a total of 360 felony counts related to the abuse of children including 72 counts Photographing, Videotaping, Depicting on Computer or Filming Sexual Acts, 72 counts of Endangering Welfare of Children, 144 counts of Sexual Abuse of Children, and 72 counts of Criminal Use of Communication Facility.
She was taken into custody by Indiana-based State Police and arraigned before Judge Douglas Chambers.
Bail was set at $75,000 straight cash. She was placed in the Jefferson County Jail where she is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing.
The investigation is not complete, and charges will be forthcoming against both suspects for a separate incident involving the 4-year-old victim, according to police.
Due to the complex nature of the investigation, the State Police are requesting that anyone with information or knowledge of young females who had contact with Kight to contact the State Police and ask to speak with Trooper Julie Clark or Trooper Randy Powell.
Punxsutawney-based State Police are being assisted by members of PSP Indiana, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson County Children and Youth Services, Indiana County Children and Youth Service, and the Indiana County Child Advocacy Center.
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