Published Friday, Feb. 8, 2002
MERCER
Man admits to Net child pornographyA Mercer man this week pleaded guilty to sending pornographic images of children over the Internet.
Ira Paul Bennett Jr., 21, of 241 S. Erie St., pleaded guilty before Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Wherry to criminal use of communications. A charge of sexual abuse of children was dropped.
State police said Bennett, using the name CUDA 65, transmitted sexual images of children under age 18 over an Internet chat room. A trooper trained in investigating Internet crimes tracked Bennett down, police said.
Bennett was released after posting $10,000 surety bond.