Police: Man Arrested On Child Porn Charges Admits To Molesting Kids

SEWICKLEY (KDKA) -- A Sewickley man is facing charges after police say he admitted to collecting child pornography and molesting children.

Allegheny County District Attorney Investigators began looking into Robert Hegner, 56, after a website reported that he uploaded an image of child pornography.

When detectives arrived at his home, he stated that he wanted to speak to agents.

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According to a criminal complaint, Hegner confessed to viewing and collecting child pornography, mainly boys aged 12-14. He stated that most of his pornography was accumulated in the past 6 to 8 months.

Hegner pleaded no contest in 2000 to indecent assault, corruption of minors, indecent exposure and endangering the welfare of children. He was sentenced to up to five years of probation. He stated that he hates himself for looking at child pornography but cannot stop.

Hegner stated that he has a 7-year-old grandson, but has never touched him.

While being interviewed by investigators, Hegner said that he has molested 5 or 6 children over the past 20 years. The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office is asking anyone who believes their child may have been touched inappropriately or abused by Hegner in the past to call investigations at (412) 388-5300. 

Hegner is facing the following charges: Sexual abuse of children - possession of child pornography, sexual abuse of children - dissemination of photographs videotapes, computer, and criminal use of communication facility.

His neighbor George Ebel said the charges are not surprising.

"We remember what happened a couple years ago, so we put two and two together," he said.

George was also fire chief of the Sewickley company where Hegner volunteered up until he was arrested the first time.

"Robby was one of my fireman and a good one. Line officer and a good one. So I don't know what happened," Ebel said. "There were several kids involved that we know in the past. Some of them, it really worked on their heads."