A part-time police officer in Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged after authorities say he was caught secretly recording children at a YMCA pool.
According to CBS News, Mark Mackrell, a 52-year-old part-time law enforcement officer, was taken into custody on August 1 following a July incident where he allegedly captured inappropriate photos and videos of minors at a community pool in East Goshen Township.
The initial report originated on July 23, when police were alerted to a "suspicious condition" at the YMCA located on Airport Road in East Goshen Township. According to investigative findings, the events unfolded the previous day, when two teenage girls felt they were being monitored by an unidentified man while using the facility’s pool.
The two girls—aged 14 and 13—expressed their concerns to the mother of one of the teens, reporting they believed someone had been filming them. The woman then approached the suspect, who denied capturing any images or videos. The man reportedly refused to provide his name and declined to show the contents of his phone.
After the confrontation, the mother escalated the situation to the YMCA staff. Lifeguards questioned the man and asked for his identification. He once again withheld his name but presented a police badge to substantiate his presence.
YMCA Incident Leads To Law Enforcement Identification
Investigators later determined the individual involved was Mark Mackrell of Coatesville, a part-time officer who serves with the Millbourne Borough Police Department in Delaware County. In addition to this law enforcement role, Mackrell is employed as a youth monitor at Abraxas Academy, which provides secure residential treatment and detention services in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
Once identified, authorities secured a search warrant for Mackrell’s phone. The digital examination revealed multiple images and videos of minors, including content dating back to July 2024. Investigators believe the footage was taken by Mackrell himself.
Audio captured in several of the recordings included inappropriate and sexually explicit comments allegedly made by Mackrell regarding the children filmed. These recordings formed a core component of the charges brought against him.
Charges Filed Include Stalking And Unlawful Contact
On August 1, Mackrell was formally arrested and charged with unlawful contact with minors, stalking, photographing a sexual act, and additional related offenses. The arrest came just over a week after the incident at the YMCA took place.
Following his arrest, authorities permitted Mackrell to post bail. He was released after posting $100,000 the same day. Officials did not disclose any conditions tied to his release or whether he is still employed with either Abraxas Academy or the Millbourne Borough Police Department. The Millbourne Borough Police Department has yet to respond to requests for comment. As of August 2, CBS News Philadelphia reported that outreach for an official statement from the department had gone unanswered.
Investigators Seek Public Help In Ongoing Probe
With the case still active, the Chester County District Attorney's Office and local law enforcement are urging any members of the public who may have additional information about Mackrell or the East Goshen Township incident to come forward.
The Westtown-East Goshen Police Department has provided a contact number—(610)-692-9600—through which the public can provide tips or relevant information. Authorities have not stated whether they believe there may be other victims connected to the content found on Mackrell’s phone. This case has sparked community concern, particularly given Mackrell’s professional background, which involved direct interaction with youth through both law enforcement and juvenile services roles.
Community Reaction And Wider Implications
In addition to its investigative implications, the arrest has triggered discussions about vetting and oversight in organizations responsible for youth safety. Some community members have voiced unease about how individuals with access to minors are monitored in public and professional environments. No official statements or public reactions have been released yet by either the YMCA or Abraxas Academy. It remains unclear what steps, if any, have been taken by those institutions following the allegations and arrest.
As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, and Mackrell awaits his court proceedings. Additional charges may be filed pending further examination of his phone or the emergence of new evidence. The case continues to unfold as investigators work to determine the full scope of Mackrell’s actions and whether similar incidents have occurred elsewhere or over a longer period.
