Man with 'violent extremist ideology' charged with possession of child sex abuse material
A federal grandy jury indicted a Pennsylvania man with possession of child sexual abuse material and heard evidence that he holds a "racially-motivated violent extremist ideology" that saw him praise mass shooters, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Aidan Harding, 20, of Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, was indicted on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the Justice Department. He was first arrested on the possession charge in late January and was ordered to be held without bond pending a trial in mid-February.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Harding had over 20 firearms and made antisemitic fliers targeting Pittsburgh's Jewish community, according to the Department of Justice.
He also allegedly made statements online "about his interest in 'political and revenge driven' mass casualty events," including several about the gunmen who carried out the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11 congregants in 2018.
Harding was previously charged in juvenile court with making "terroristic threats" that expressed a desire to carry out an attack with a "high kill count," prosecutors said.
He allegedly had videos of mass shootings that took place in the U.S. and around the globe and had previously filmed himself "re-enacting the Columbine mass shooting at a memorial honoring the victims of that attack," prosecutors said.
In a court filing, his attorneys argued for Harding's release, saying he is not a flight risk or a danger to the community. They said Harding has deep roots in the Pittsburgh area, works on a family farm, does not own a passport and has never failed to appear for a court hearing.
They noted Harding is accused of one count of possessing child sexual abuse material on his phone, but is not accused of distributing or creating such material. He is also not charged with attempting to meet a child, they noted.
Regarding the allegation from prosecutors that Harding adheres to a violent, racist ideology, his attorneys said "it may be deplorable but it is not criminal." They added that those allegations and his possession of lawful firearms are not related to the case but are protected by the First and Second Amendments of the Constitution.
The judge ultimately decided Harding should be held without bail.
If Harding is found guilty of the child sexual abuse material charge, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, prosecutors said.