Look, everybody is innocent until proven guilty in this country. But the charges against Pennsylvania state Republican senator Michael Folmer look pretty disturbing. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania state attorney general John Shapiro announced that authorities "found images of child pornography on the Republican senator's phone after executing a search warrant Tuesday inside his Lebanon, Pennsylvania, home," according to CNN.
"This defendant serves as a state Senator and was entrusted to honor and represent his community in the Pennsylvania Capitol," Shapiro said in a press release.
Folmer was charged Tuesday with "sexual abuse of children, possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility."
CNN reports that a Tumblr user -- a popular social media site where users can upload images and pictures -- reported to authorities that an account had added a graphic image of a child. This then led authorities to conduct an investigation, which led the government to the home of Sen. Folmer.
"I will continue to say it -- no one is above the law, no matter what position of power they hold," Shapiro added. "I will continue to work to protect children and hold those who abuse them accountable."
According to Talking Points Memo, Republicans Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman released a joint statement addressing the matter:
“We are shocked to learn tonight of the allegations made against Senator Folmer,” they wrote. “We will fully cooperate with law enforcement regarding this deeply disturbing matter.
“Given the severity of these charges, Senator Folmer is immediately being removed as Chair of the Senate State Government Committee,” they continued. “Further action in response to these charges will be taken by Senate Leadership in the coming days.