A 49-year-old Lehighton man is facing 21 counts related to child sexual abuse material after an investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Kristin Tarud of the attorney general’s office in the case against Derrick Martin:

The Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received Cybertips about suspicious activity from an electronic service provider company named Synchronoss Technologies Inc.

From Jan. 10 through March 29, Synchronoss reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone was using their services to upload files of child exploitation material.

Martin was determined to be the subscriber.

Investigators traced the account activity to Martin’s residence and a search warrant was executed at the home on May 13. Officials knocked at the door and saw an aggressive dog at the window.

Tarud called Martin. After the second call, Martin answered the phone and Tarud instructed him to place his dog out back and come to the front door.

Martin admitted that the phone number and email address connected to the account belonged to him and said that he viewed child sexual abuse material through social media and messaging platforms, including TikTok, Telegram and WhatsApp.

He said that while police were knocking at the door he was deleting “embarrassing” material from his photo gallery.

Martin said he would watch people livestream on TikTok and would buy $20 TikTok Gifts. Once he would purchase the gifts he would get a message on TikTok and then be referred to Telegram, where he would receive links of child exploitation materials. Police located 21 images on his phone and seized other devices to search.

Bail was set at $50,000 straight cash, which was posted on May 14. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing June 17 before District Judge William J. Kissner of Palmerton.