A 20-year-old Monroe County man faces federal child pornography charges following a months-long investigation that uncovered an alleged disturbing pattern of online predation spanning multiple countries.

Destin Petrides, of Kunkletown, was indicted in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on Aug. 3 on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography under federal law. He pleaded not guilty Aug. 25 before Judge Joseph F. Saporito Jr. and remains held at Lackawanna County Prison.

According to court records, the affidavit of probable cause in the federal case remains sealed.

The federal case follows a broader set of state charges filed in Monroe County in June that included criminal attempt of murder in the first degree, a charge that carries no bail eligibility, aiding suicide and sexual extortion. Those charges, filed by the Pennsylvania State Police, were withdrawn Sept. 16.

The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Southeast Computer Crimes Unit opened its investigation after Homeland Security Investigations in Halifax, Nova Scotia, requested assistance. Canadian authorities had identified Petrides as a suspect in connection with an online predator targeting a minor in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Matthew S. Kelly in the state case.

The victim, a 13-year-old boy, first encountered the suspect through the online gaming platform Roblox approximately three to five months before the June investigation, the affidavit states.

The complaint that was withdrawn alleged Petrides coerced the boy into cutting and self-mutilation. The complaint also mentioned a threat for a shooting at the boy’s school.

The complaint also referenced another victim in the Philippines.

Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant at Petrides’ Polk Township residence in June, the affidavit states.

Saporito granted an unopposed defense motion to push back the federal trial date. Pretrial motions are due by Nov. 13. A final pretrial conference is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 3 of the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse, 197 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Jury selection and trial are set to begin Jan. 4, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. in the same courtroom.

Terry Ahner contributed to this report.