Former Union County Law Clerk, 67, Charged With Child Pornography Possession

Keith Edward Kendall, a 67-year-old Lewisburg resident who worked as a judicial law clerk serving the courts of both Union and Snyder counties, was arrested Thursday by Pennsylvania State Police on 10 counts of sexual abuse of children and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.

Kendall, who clerked for judges in the 17th Judicial District, was arraigned in Mifflinburg and released on $75,000 unsecured bail. As conditions of that release, he is prohibited from using the Internet, from frequenting any locations where children are present, and from setting foot on the property of either the Snyder or Union County courthouses.

According to the charging document, among the files allegedly in Kendall's possession was a collage of 30 images depicting a girl approximately 10 to 13 years old in several stages of undress. A second file contained 30 images of another girl of the same age committing sexual acts and exposing her genitals.

The 17th Judicial District court moved quickly once the charges became known. President Judge Lori R. Hackenberg announced in a news release that the court took immediate administrative action and that Kendall is no longer employed by the court. Hackenberg said no further details would be released because the matter is pending in court and involves personnel issues.

"The court remains committed to maintaining the integrity of the judicial system and ensuring that court operations continue in accordance with the law and the highest professional standards," Hackenberg wrote.

The case remains active, and no future court dates have been publicly announced.