Arrest of Former Parkland School Administrator, Straight from District Attorney Gavin Holihan; Accused’s Fiance Charged Earlier With Child Pornography

— Lehigh Valley News Briefs

*** The statement that follows is from the office of the Lehigh County District Attorney. ***

Oct. 15, 2024

District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced the arrest of a former Parkland School District administrator charged with surreptitiously recording a student without his consent.

Francis Anonia, DOB 5/09/1981, of Allentown, is charged with five counts each of Intercept Communications and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, all felonies of the third degree; as wellas nine counts of Invasion of Privacy, a misdemeanor of the second degree.

Anonia was arraigned this afternoon by Magisterial District Judge Jacob Hammond and was sent to Lehigh County Jail under $50,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. October 21.

On April 2, 2024, an investigation began into a complaint made by a Childline Referral request about a Anonia during his time at the Parkland School District.

On Feb. 23, 2023, Anonia’s phone had been seized by Allentown Police in regard to an investigation surrounding his fiancé, William Marshall. Marshall entered a guilty plea to possession of child pornography and in April of 2024, was sentenced to a term on incarceration in Lehigh County Jail.

Anonia’s cellphone was never analyzed because he was not suspected or charged with any criminal behavior related to the investigation of Marshall. However, Anonia never requested that his cellphone be returned to him and it remained in the possession of the police.

When the April 2, 2024 investigation began, investigators obtained a court order permitting them to gain access to Anonia’s cellphone. During that search, the images he surreptitiously recorded of the student were discovered which led to the current charges.

The case was investigated by Lehigh County District Attorney Gregg Dietz and the Officer David M. Petzold Memorial Digital Forensics Laboratory of Lehigh County. The case will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara Moyer.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation; and the defendant, Francis Anonia, is presumed innocent unti and unless proven guilty.