by Dan Doyle | July 8, 2025
Former Falls Township Fire Company President and Tullytown Borough Police Officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges, marking the latest chapter in a troubling history of criminal behavior.
Gary N. Margerum, 61, of Levittown, was formally charged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with one count of distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2), (b)(1), and one count of possession of child pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B), (b)(2) a statue governing the possession and dissemination of sexually exploitative material involving minors.
The investigation began on December 20, 2024, when law enforcement received a cyber tip regarding the sharing of suspected child sexual abuse material. Acting on that information, Bucks County Detectives executed a search warrant at Margerum’s residence on April 4, 2025. Investigators seized electronic devices, and a subsequent forensic analysis led to the discovery of an explicit image of an underage girl.
Authorities allege Margerum shared the image through a social media platform. During an interview, he reportedly admitted to distributing the material, which was confirmed through digital evidence retrieved from his cell phone.
As a result of the federal indictment, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn its charges through a nolle prosequi motion filed July 1, 2025, ending state-level prosecution in favor of the federal case.
Margerum’s history with law enforcement and public service has been marred by past criminal arrests. In 1988, while employed as a part-time officer in Tullytown, he was charged with corruption of minors, official oppression, and indecent exposure after allegedly kissing and fondling a 15-year-old girl on duty.
In 2018, Margerum was arrested again this time for theft of funds while serving as president of the Falls Township Fire Company in 2016.
Now facing serious federal charges, Margerum could be subject to significant penalties, including a lengthy federal prison sentence and forfeiture of property tied to the offenses.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Mandelbaum.
Note: Criminal charges, and any reporting thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.