A 43-year-old Nanticoke man is facing 763 felony counts after Pennsylvania investigators say they traced the possession and sharing of child sexual abuse material to an IP address at his East Union Street home. Michael J. Grevera was arraigned on 663 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, 99 counts of disseminating it, and one related count of criminal use of a communication facility.
The charges were announced by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, according to the Times Leader. Agents served a search warrant at Grevera's East Union Street residence late last month, and investigators say he initially lied about being home before eventually coming to the door, according to PennWatch. Investigators seized electronic devices from the home that they say contained the illegal material.
Investigators Say Files Were Shared Online
Per the attorney general's office, investigators determined that Grevera shared at least 99 files.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday addressed the case directly. “The voluminous illegal materials found in this case are deeply disturbing, and warrant these very serious charges,” Sunday said, per the Times Leader. Sunday also said that possession and dissemination of such materials are unacceptable and remain a priority for his office to investigate.
Bail Conditions and Conflicting Release Reports
A magisterial district judge set Grevera's bail at $250,000. The Times Leader reported that Grevera was released Nov. 1 after posting that bail, while PennWatch described the conditions — no contact with children, staying at least 500 feet from schools and playgrounds, and not leaving Luzerne County without permission — as applying if he posts bail, rather than confirming that he had done so. Hoodline could not independently verify Grevera's current custody status.
Under Pennsylvania's child sexual abuse material statute, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312, knowingly possessing or controlling such material is an offense under subsection (d), while knowingly selling, distributing, or disseminating it falls under subsection (c), according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. A first offense under either subsection is generally graded as a third-degree felony, while a second or subsequent offense is generally graded as a second-degree felony, per the same statute.
Investigation Remains Open
The Office of Attorney General said its investigation into Grevera is continuing. Officials are asking anyone with information about the case to call the Office of Attorney General at 800-385-1044, as reported by the Times Leader. The charges reflect allegations brought by prosecutors, and Grevera has not been convicted; no response from Grevera or his attorney was available in the reporting reviewed for this story.
