Paul Szak

Shaw identified the defendant as 47 year old Paul Anthony Szak, Sr. of Clearfield. Currently, Szak is housed in the Clearfield County jail pending transfer to the State Prison System.

A criminal complaint filed on September 18, 2008 by Trooper William Mostyn of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Barracks, charged Szak with 201 counts of possession of child pornography.

An affidavit of probable cause filed with the criminal complaint alleges that the State Police were contacted after a woman was packing up Szak’s belongings and discovered Cd’s that had child pornography on them. The Cd’s were turned over to the Pennsylvania State Police.

During an interview, Szak relayed that he ran into child pornography sites while doing a common word search on his computer and the sites popped up. He further claimed that one of the discs contained movies that are automatically downloaded from a movie site. Szak claimed that he clicked on all kinds of pornographic sites because he was curious as to what was shown, and some of these involved children. He then stated that he copied these files on discs to turn in to someone, but he did not know where he should turn them in.

Hughes’ computers and the discs containing the pornography were examined by the Pennsylvania State Police where 201 items of child pornography were discovered.

On March 26, 2009, Szack tendered a plea of guilt to the charges. The Honorable Paul Cherry issued an Order on March 27, 2009, directing that Szak undergo and assessment by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board prior to sentencing. An evaluation conducted by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board concluded that Szak did not meet the criteria of a sexually violent predator.

Shaw reported that pursuant to Megan’s Law, the nature of the charges filed against Szak require Szack to register with the State Police for a period of ten years. Szak must register as an offender despite the results from the Assessment Board.

On July 27, 2009, Szack appeared for sentencing at which time Cherry sentenced Szak to a maximum period of seven years incarceration in the State Prison System. Cherry further Ordered Szak to comply with all provisions of Megan’s Law and to have no contact with any children under the age of eighteen. Szak was further ordered not to access or own any device that can access the internet.

Shaw stated that he was pleased with the investigation by the State Police. Shaw noted that it is important to realize that when this defendant is ultimately released from prison, he must register with the State Police pursuant to Megan’s Law.