MCMURRAY, Pa. — A contracted IT employee who works out of Peters Township High School has been arrested on child porn charges.
Jason Wayne Ayres, 46, was taken into custody on the high school’s campus Wednesday morning by the Attorney General’s Office Child Predator Unit.
Police said they discovered disturbing downloaded videos, including of children between 4 and 6 years old.
According to the criminal complaint, Ayres admitted to police that he had been viewing child porn on and off for a couple of years, including AI-generated child porn, which is also illegal in Pennsylvania. The AG’s office has filed charges against two suspects since the statute was passed last year.
A forensic search of his computer found explicit images and videos, including material showing sex acts involving children as young as four to six years old. Police say Ayres admitted to searching for child pornography and using terms like “pre-teen” and “jailbait.”
The Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit and the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force traced illegal activity to an IP address Ayres shared with his wife.
The district says the investigation did not involve any Peters Township students and that no district equipment was used. Ayres’ contract with Questeq has been terminated and all district access has been revoked.
Students tell Channel 11 they’re shocked by the allegations.
“He was a nice guy — the IT people kinda keep to themselves,” said Peters Township student Giada Pitzarella. “It’s just shocking to have someone like that in a school.”
Ayres is charged with child sexual abuse material and criminal use of communication facility. He is in the Washington County Jail, where he was unable to post bail set at $250,000
Our reporter Cara Sapida is digging more into the allegations and will have more on Channel 11 News starting at 4 p.m.
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