Phantoms suspend employee after child-abuse-material charges

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have suspended employee Matthew Francis after he was charged in Lehigh County with offences involving child sexual abuse material, according to reports from NBC10 Philadelphia and 6abc.

Francis, 29, was arrested on Sept. 11. He is charged with three second-degree felonies related to child sexual abuse material and one third-degree felony of criminal use of a communication facility. According to authorities, Pennsylvania State Police opened the investigation after two tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Investigators said they traced an internet address and phone number associated with the alleged uploads to Francis and found additional videos during a search of his Allentown apartment. Bail was set at $100,000.

6abc identified Francis as the Phantoms' “Manager of Fun.” The organization said it suspended him after learning of the case and is cooperating with law enforcement. The available reports do not connect his work for the team to the alleged conduct.

Francis has not been convicted and is presumed innocent.