Second Suspect Charged in Highland Pornography Case

A second person has been arrested and charged with 57 felonies in a recent child pornography investigation conducted by Highland County deputies and federal investigators.

The suspect, Peter Lee Bucker, 40, of Big Valley, was arrested at his home March 20^th and charged with 16 counts of possession of child pornography, according to Highland County Sheriff Bob Kelly.

Bucker was also charged with 41 counts of possession of items depicting acts of bestiality . He was held without bond at the Middle River Regional Jail, Kelly added.

Bucker’s wife, Alyshia Marie Burleigh, 35, was arrested Jan. 28^th after investigators with Homeland Security and the Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at their home. During the search, investigators seized multiple electronic devices, including phones, computers and tablets.

Burleigh initially was charged with one count of child pornography and released on bond. But on Feb. 24^th, Burleigh was arrested at home again. This time, Burleigh was charged with 66 felony counts of possession of child pornography and two felony counts of bestiality.

Kelly has said his office became involved the case in January when Homeland Security requested their assistance in serving the search warrant at the suspects home.

Burke’s arrest was made after investigators were able to unlock a seized phone that belonged to Burke and contained the alleged compromising images, Kelly said.

The day before his arrest, Burke had appeared as a witness at his wife’s bond hearing in Highland District Court. He testified he would watch his wife and make sure she would appear at future court hearings should she be released on bail. The judge, however, declined to set bond for Burleigh.

Kelly declined to discuss details of the Homeland Security investigation, but noted the joint child pornography probe is continuing.

 

This is Mike Folks for Allegheny Mountain Radio News