East Pikeland Twp. Man Charged With Child Sex Abuse

A teacher at the Malvern School of Music has been arrested and charged with child sexual abuse, Chester County District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan announced Thursday.

Anton Fromin, 44, of the 2000 block of Kimberton Road in East Pikeland Township, has worked at the music school for four years, authorities said. He originally is from Russia.

“Sexual predators try to put themselves into a position where they have access to children," Hogan said. "This defendant was a music teacher, trusted by parents, with unfettered access to vulnerable children. The defendant abused this position of trust to exploit innocent children.” 

Malvern Borough Police were contacted on June 4 by the parents of a 6-year-old girl who was a student of Fomin's at the music school. The girl told police that Fomin put his hand inside her underwear and touched her during one-on-one piano lessons, the District Attorney's Office said.

Two other 6-year-old children, a boy and a girl, subsequently came forward and said that Fomin had engaged in criminal conduct during their private lessons. The boy said Fomin had touched his genitals, and both said that Fomin exposed himself to them.

Fomin also showed the children explicit images of nude children and adults, the District Attorney's Office said.

A search warrant executed at Fomin's East Pikeland Township home yielded a computer with nude photos of children and adults, including the defendant, police said. 

“The actions of this defendant are reprehensible. I am proud that the Malvern Police Department and the County Detectives were able to work together to stop him," Malvern Police Chief Louis Marcelli said. "Child predators like him violate the ultimate trust, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to both prevent and capture predators in our community.” 

Fomin is charged with attempted aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors and other charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Thomas Tartaglio.

“The reported conduct of the defendant is classic grooming behavior by a predator, trying to acclimate children to sexual abuse," Hogan said. "Three brave victims and their parents have come forward to police. It is very important that parents talk with their children to see if there are any more victims. Anyone with information should come forward to the police so that the defendant can be held fully accountable.” 

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to contact Chester County Detective James Ciliberto at 610-344-6866.