Local Man Arrested For Possession Of Child Pornography
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police say James Veenstra, 53, has been marketing himself as a child talent agent.
An investigation determined that he was also possessing child porn. Police say he was in possession of 2,401 pictures.
Many of them were on DVD and printed out, depicting males and females under the age of 13 in prohibited acts or simulating such acts.
"Right now, we don't know totally if those pictures were pictures he had taken or just secured from some other location. This is all still part of the investigation," Pittsburgh Police Spokeswoman Sonya Toler said.
KDKA's Amy Wadas went to Hartman Street in Marshall-Shadeland, where Veenstra lives. She talked to several neighbors, but none of them wanted to go on camera.
They do say Veenstra has been the talk of the neighborhood for some time.
Veenstra was arrested on Monday and charged with possessing child porn. He's at the Allegheny County Jail unable to post $5,000 bail. This isn't his first run in with the law.
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Between 1998 and 2003, police say Veenstra sexually assaulted a family member. The victim, who's now an adult, told investigators it started when she was just four years old and continued until she was nine. She told police Veenstra would sleep in bed with her when she visited this home in Bloomfield, saying sometimes, he would sleep naked.
As for this most recent case, police are concerned other victims could be out there, and if so, encourage them to come forward.
Amy Wadas: "Do we know if he generated business through this child talent agency?
Toler: "That's what we need your help in determining to get the word out to the public so we can see the full scope of what he was up to."
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Sex Assault and Family Crisis Unit encourages the public to call with any information they may have.
Veenstra's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20.
Veenstra is headed to trial on Tuesday for the case that allegedly happened between 1998 and 2003 in Bloomfield.
