A man who was released from jail last fall after a conviction on sex assault charges has been jailed on charges that he violated his parole and its conditions under Megan's Law, and because sexually explicit pictures of teenage girls were found on his cell phone.

Shawn Simms, 20, of Saltsburg, is to be arraigned by video connection from the Westmoreland County Prison on 78 counts, including involuntary deviate sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent exposure, sexual abuse of children, making terroristic threats, and criminal solicitation.

State police Trooper Todd Adamski said Mr. Simms was arrested this month on an unrelated theft charge and for alleged fraudulent use of a credit card.

While he was being held on these charges, police in Derry Township had sought him in connection with parole violations.

Because a previous conviction was for sex assault charges, Mr. Simms was required to register with police as a violent sexual predator.

However, the suspect reportedly lived at various residences in Westmoreland and Indiana counties in violation of the Megan's Law requirements, Tpr. Adamski said.

At a residence in Salem Township, police recovered his cell phone, which contained sexually explicit photos of four girls, two of them age 15, and two 17.

Investigators said the suspect had illegal sexual relations with the girls.

Anyone, particularly juveniles, who has had contact with Mr. Simms is asked to contact state police at the Kiski Valley barracks at 724-727-3434.