MORGANTOWN — A Monongalia County woman arrested by U.S. Marshals Tuesday appeared before a federal judge Wednesday on charges of child pornography.
Tara Kae Ponceroff was indicted by a federal grand jury in Wheeling Aug. 6. She is charged with two counts of transportation of child pornography, one count of production of child pornography and one count aiding and abetting production of child pornography, according to a press release by the U.S. Department of Justice Northern District of West Virginia.
The 26-year-old was allegedly involved in the production and distribution of child porn from November 2017 to January 2018 in Monongalia County, the release stated. The case involves two children.
Terry Moore, Supervisory U.S. Marshal, said Ponceroff was arrested Tuesday morning on Beulah Road.
Caitlyn Buzzo was also arrested at the same location based off an unrelated violation of her parole he said.
Each charge of producing and aiding carries up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each charge of transportation is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case. The investigation was carried out by the West Virginia State Police and U.S Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Ponceroff is being held in North Central Regional Jail.
Story by William Dean