Delaware State Police
News Release

Bridgeville Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Released Thursday, January 22, 2009

Bridgeville – The Delaware State Police have arrested a 37-year-old Bridgeville man for numerous child sexual exploitation charges after he was found to be in possession of elicit photographs and video’s on his cellular telephone.

The investigation began yesterday after a 14-year-old Bridgeville girl reported to authorities that a relative whom resided in the same home with her had taken unwanted and unauthorized photographs of her as she showered in the home.

Detectives learned that approximately 1 week ago the victim was taking a shower when she observed Clark place his cellular telephone on the ledge of the shower. The victim stated she observed her own nude image on the screen of his phone and thought she was being recorded. Realizing this she moved away to get out of view of the camera phone.

The victim informed police Clark then entered the bathroom and took the phone while she remained in the shower. Shortly afterward, Clark returns and places the phone into the shower and takes a photograph of her nude.

Detectives contacted Clark yesterday at this home and brought him back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where he was questioned regarding the investigation. During the questioning, detectives obtained a search warrant for his cellular telephone. Upon a review of the phone, detectives located nine separate video’s of the victim taking a shower. In all videos, the victim is observed nude.

Detectives learned Clark would place the phone in the shower prior to the victim entering the bathroom and would then retrieve it as she was showering. The entire time the victim had no knowledge this was occurring. The dates and times of the occurrences were: November 18, 2008 at 6:28 am, December 10, 2008 at 6:04 am, December 11, 2008 at 6:17 am, December 16, 2008 at 6:08 am, January 8, 2009 at 6:13 am, January 9, 2009 at 6:23 am, January 13, 2009 at 6:07 am, January 14, 2009 at 6:18 am and January 14, 2009 at 6:28 am. 

As a result of the investigation, Clark has been arrested for 9 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, 9 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, 9 counts of Invasion of Privacy and 1 count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He has been remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of a $140,000 cash bail.