TAMAQUA, Pa. - A Tamaqua police officer has found himself behind bars.
29-year-old Christopher Cordes is facing multiple charges, including possessing, manufacturing, and disseminating child pornography, solicitation and conspiracy to commit sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with a minor, and sexual intercourse with an animal, according to court paperwork.
Cordes is an officer with the Tamaqua Police Department.
The police department says they are not aware of any allegations of inappropriate activity while Cordes was on duty. They also said they are not in a position to comment on the charges specifically but are cooperating fully with the investigation.
According to the Pennsylvania attorney general's office, investigators were alerted to inappropriate images of children allegedly shared by Christopher Cordes on social media late last year.
According to the affidavit, Cordes used the account name “haytherecowboy” and said he wanted to impregnate a 13-year-old he was chatting with, and said he was attracted to children. He also allegedly sent photos of himself engaged in sexual activity with animals on the internet.
Cordes has been suspended indefinitely without pay for conduct unbecoming a police officer, according to a statement from the Tamaqua Police Department, and is locked up behind bars at Columbia County Jail.
Bail was set at $250,000.