A Beaver Falls man is facing 100 felony counts after a phone search tied to a separate child assault investigation allegedly uncovered more than 2,500 files depicting child sexual abuse. Investigators are still reviewing the remaining material and determining whether any local victims may be connected to it.
The case began after a 12-year-old girl came forward in 2025, according to CBS Pittsburgh. She told investigators she met Luke Poteete while he was sitting in on classes at New Brighton Area Middle School as a Geneva College student, and alleged that he bought alcohol for her and a friend before raping her in the back of a vehicle.
That investigation led New Brighton police to search Poteete’s phone and cloud account, where investigators reportedly found thousands of images and videos involving children, including toddlers. As reported by Beaver County Radio, Poteete, 22, is being held in the Beaver County Jail on $150,000 bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in August.
Investigators Say The 100 Counts Are Only A Starting Point
Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible said the 100 felony counts represent only a fraction of the material recovered from Poteete’s phone. Investigators moved quickly to secure the charges while they continue analyzing the files and checking whether they point to additional victims or offenses, CBS Pittsburgh reported.
The allegations have also raised questions about Poteete’s prior contact with children. Beaver County Radio reported that a public LinkedIn profile listed previous work at the Beaver County YMCA, where he reportedly coached and led activities for children until 2021.
Geneva College Says It Will Cooperate With Investigators
Geneva College said Poteete has not been a student since the 2025 fall semester and declined to discuss student records. In a statement reported by CBS Pittsburgh, the college said it remains committed to campus safety and will cooperate with law enforcement inquiries.
What The Pennsylvania Charges Mean
Under Pennsylvania law, intentionally viewing or knowingly possessing child sexual abuse material is a criminal offense under Section 6312, with grading that can increase when the material depicts a child under 10 or a prepubescent child, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The specific allegations against Poteete remain unproven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Poteete also faces a separate case stemming from the alleged assault of the 12-year-old girl, with a trial reportedly expected in September. Authorities have not announced whether the newly recovered files have been tied to any additional local victims.
