A Jeannette man charged this month with possessing and distributing images of sexual assaults against infants and toddlers can pay a $250,000 cash bond to be released from jail as he awaits trial, a Westmoreland County judge ruled Wednesday.
Anthony Cortazzo IV, 38, was charged May 8 by Greensburg police with 21 felony counts.
If released, Cortazzo will await trial while on house arrest. Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani barred him from the internet and ordered him to have no contact with children as conditions of his bond.
According to court records, the investigation was launched after police received a report from a woman who said she had a prior relationship with Cortazzo after they had met through an online dating site. She told investigators Cortazzo, in text messages, admitted to possessing child pornography, which said he used for sexual gratification and sent her copies of pictures and videos. The woman gave police her cell phone, which contained her contacts with Cortazzo.
Police said they searched Cortazzo’s home on May 8 and found dozens of images of child pornography.
“The actor indicated that he first viewed child pornography within the past few months when someone he met online sent him numerous files after role-playing family sex with them,” police wrote in court documents.
Cortazzo has no prior criminal history and would move in with his parents in Jeannette if he is released from jail, said defense attorney Samir Sarna.
Deputy Attorney General Angela Raver said plea negotiations with Cortazzo are in the preliminary stages. Prosecutors could require Cortazzo to plead guilty to a lesser number of counts as part of a potential deal, she said.
Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.