Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced today that Walter Talmadge, 33, of Matamoras was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in state prison for charges relating to the possession of child pornography and for failing to comply with the requirements of Megan’s Law.  The sentencing occurred before Pike County Court of Common Pleas Judge Gregory Chelak on April 12^th.

Talmadge pled guilty in December to the charge of Sexual Abuse of Children (which under Pennsylvania Law includes the possession of child pornography) and a charge of Failure to Comply With Registration of Sexual Offender Requirements.  The Pennsylvania State Police charged Talmadge with being in possession of various computer pictures containing child pornography, which were found on a computer that he possessed in his residence in Matamoras in 2015.  The State Police also charged Talmadge with failing to register with them a new e-mail address that that he had been using, which was a requirement for him under Pennsylvania’s version of Megan’s Law.

Talmadge was subject to the registration requirements of Megan’s Law because of a previous conviction relating to the possession of child pornography.  First Assistant District Attorney Bruce DeSarro, who prosecuted the case, thanked the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crimes Division for the work they had performed in the case.  DeSarro also stated that a case such as this underscores the importance of Megan’s Law in monitoring those who exploit children because of the persistence of those offenders in committing such crimes.

Talmadge is housed at the State Correctional Institute in Waymart.  In addition to the period of incarceration, the Court also ordered as a special condition of parole that Talmadge he not possess or use any device with internet capabilities nor work in any location where children are known to congregate.