A man who operated a music studio in Tamaqua pleaded guilty Monday to 500 counts of child pornography.

In the plea deal, authorities dropped 100 counts of disseminating photos or films of child sex acts and two counts of criminal use of communication facility against David J. Fortin.

Fortin, 38, whose last address is listed as Wilkes-Barre, will remain in jail pending sentencing at 1 p.m. June 15. in Luzerne County Court.

Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. ordered a presentence investigation done before he imposes punishment.

Fortune, who operated the Fortin Academy of Music, was charged in November, 2021 by Luzerne County Detective Charles J. Balogh Jr.

Authorities began investigating Fortin after receiving a tip through Pennsylvania internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which received it from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

According to the tip, Fortin used the file-sharing app Dropbox to upload 190 files showing suspected child abuse. A search of his home revealed hundreds of videos and images of children engaged in sex acts, including one of a youth being sexually tortured.

He told authorities he wanted to clear his Dropbox account to open up more storage space.

Fortin was locked out of the account after opening a link depicting child sexual abuse, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

He admitted to creating the account and downloading and disseminating images/videos depicting child abuse.

A search of his iPhone found more than 400 images and video files of sexual abuse material.

According to the affidavit, Fortin told authorities he “felt terrible” about his actions.

He told them he wanted to stop looking at the videos because he knew it was illegal, the videos hurt children and he wanted to help them, documents show.

Fortin denied physically acting on his desires with any child.