Police: Child porn suspect sets fire, kills self

MOUNT HOLLY SPRINGS, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a man set his home on fire and committed suicide rather than turn himself in to face child pornography charges.

Police say 37-year-old John Leonard fatally shot himself Thursday morning at his home in Mount Holly Springs, Cumberland County. Coroner Todd Eckenrode says Leonard was found dead on the second floor of his home.

A state police fire marshal says Leonard used an accelerant to start the blaze. Authorities suspect Leonard also tried to clog the hydrant in front of his home to slow firefighters’ efforts.

According to court documents, Leonard was planning to turn himself in Thursday and be arraigned on charges related to pornographic movies and images found on his computer. He faced 150 counts of possession of child pornography.