by Pennsylvania – A disturbing investigation in Pennsylvania has led to the arrest of a former school janitor, after authorities discovered over 2,000 child pornographic images on his cellphone, according to state police and court documents.
Investigation Sparked by Suspicious Behavior
The case began in December 2024, when John Soffa, a janitor formerly employed by the Upper Perkiomen School District, was spotted taking inappropriate photos of teen athletes during a wrestling tournament at Upper Perkiomen High School. Witnesses alerted law enforcement after noticing Soffa’s unusual focus on minors at the event.
According to court filings, a state trooper approached and questioned Soffa during the tournament. During the brief interaction, the trooper reportedly saw images of naked children on Soffa’s phone screen, prompting the start of a full-scale criminal investigation.
Shocking Discovery on Soffa’s Device
When confronted, Soffa allegedly admitted to having pornography stored on his phone and confessed to collecting pictures of minors, including children in swimsuits and topless young girls, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities obtained a search warrant and conducted a forensic download of the device. Investigators later confirmed that Soffa’s phone contained 2,097 images categorized as Child Exploitative Material — a classification used by law enforcement for content depicting sexual abuse or exploitation of minors.
The affidavit stated that the material included photos of children aged 3 to 16, many in various stages of undress, and that numerous files had been deleted in December, possibly in an attempt to destroy evidence.
School District Response and Termination
Following the initial incident in December, the Upper Perkiomen School District took swift administrative action. A district spokesperson confirmed that Soffa was immediately placed on leave and barred from entering any school property while the investigation unfolded.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” the district said in a statement. “Mr. Soffa was placed on administrative leave as soon as the district became aware of the allegations, and he has not had any access to district facilities or students since that time.”
Public records show that the school board formally terminated Soffa’s employment in late September 2025, nearly a month before criminal charges were filed on November 5.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Soffa now faces multiple felony charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) possession and exploitation. State police officials have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with forensic teams reviewing additional digital evidence to determine whether Soffa may have shared the illegal content or been involved in a wider network.
If convicted, Soffa could face years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender under Pennsylvania law.
Law enforcement agencies continue to urge parents and community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior involving children.
“Protecting minors from sexual exploitation is one of our highest priorities,” said a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police. “This case serves as a reminder that early reporting from the public can make a critical difference.”
How do you think schools can strengthen their background checks and reporting systems to prevent such cases in the future? Share your thoughts or join the discussion at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
