Investigators in Berks County announced on Wednesday the arrest of eight men in connection with a countywide child pornography investigation.
According to Berks County District Attorney's office investigators and local police, eight of 10 men involved were arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography using the Internet.
Investigators say they are still searching for two men allegedly involved in the ring.
The victims ranged in age from 1 to 5, investigators said.
Residents in Reading tell FOX 29's Shawnette Wilson they are outraged to hear the victims are so young.
The investigation, which started four months ago, led members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and county investigators to eight homes, where they found computers with pornographic images and other evidence linking the suspects to the countywide distribution.
Investigators say they collected thousands of images and managed to identify four images of victims. According to the district attorney's office, two of the victims live in Berks County and two live in Chester County.
The investigation included the work of police in Reading, Central Berks and Cumru Township along with the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and investigators in Berks County.
The Berks County District Attorney's Office has released the following names of those arrested, including two who investigators are still searching for:
Brian K. Crimmins, age 48, 700 block of Tamarack Trail, Shillington
David A. Crimmins, age 18, 700 block of Tamarack Trail, Shillington
Cori J. Merklinger, age 23, 1400 block of Friedensburg Road, Reading
Hector L. Perez, age 20, 200 block of Arlington Street, Reading
Reinerio Velazco-Mena, age 41, 1300 block of North 9th Street, Reading
Danny Ray Evans, Jr., age 26, 300 block of Pearl Street, Reading
Christopher M. Mailloux, age 22, 300 block of Pearl Street, Reading
Lewis V. Martinez, age 22, 900 block of Weiser Street, Reading
Suspects who remain at large:
Hugo D. Blanco, age 20, 1400 block of Hampden Blvd., Reading (remains at large)
Brett A. Correll, age 31, 1500 block of Fern Avenue, Reading (remains at large)
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:47:08 GMT
"They just keep buying time. It's 60 days here and 60 days there. It's a small victory," said Brian Hathaway. He's one of hundreds of residents who left a meeting at Garnett Valley Middle School hesitant
Neighbors say developer that withdrew application to build is a stall tactic.
Friday, May 10 2013 7:37 AM EDT2013-05-10 11:37:01 GMT
Gregg Wolfe, like most parents, always thought he would look back on precious moments, like receiving Father's Day cards, with a smile. But instead he's fighting back tears.
Gregg Wolfe, like most parents, always thought he would look back on precious moments, like receiving Father's Day cards, with a smile. But instead he's fighting back tears.
Friday, May 10 2013 7:16 AM EDT2013-05-10 11:16:07 GMT
Heroin is killing young people at an alarming rate. And, parents, you think you'd recognize the signs. See what two grieving families missed until it was too late.
Heroin is killing young people at an alarming rate. And, parents, you think you'd recognize the signs. See what two grieving families missed until it was too late.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
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Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Investigators on Wednesday released the photos and names of the suspects.
