Montgomery County township supervisor charged with soliciting child pornography in Maryland.

A township supervisor from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has been arrested in Maryland on serious charges related to child exploitation. Nicholas A. Fountain, a 38-year-old Collegeville resident who operates two childcare centers, is facing charges of soliciting child pornography and sexually soliciting a minor, as disclosed by authorities on Thursday.

Fountain was apprehended on Wednesday by the Pennsylvania State Police and is currently being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. He is awaiting extradition to Maryland, where the charges were filed. The investigation that led to Fountain’s arrest was conducted by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, located in a suburb of Baltimore.

While specific details surrounding the investigation have not been publicly released, it is clear that the nature of the allegations is deeply troubling, raising significant concerns within the community and among legislative representatives. At present, there is no attorney listed for Fountain in the available court records.

Fountain previously established Magnolia Enrichment Center in Skippack and Magnolia Children’s Academy in Gilbertsville, according to his campaign website. His professional profile on LinkedIn indicates that he also operates a summer camp, further emphasizing his ties to childcare and educational services in the region. These centers, which serve the community’s children, are now under scrutiny due to Fountain’s legal troubles.

In response to the unfolding situation, individuals associated with the childcare centers have been reticent to comment. A representative at the Gilbertsville location declined to provide any information regarding Fountain’s arrest, and attempts to reach someone at the Skippack center were unsuccessful.

Fountain’s position as vice chair on the Skippack Township Board of Supervisors has drawn immediate attention. Fellow supervisors and township officials have thus far not responded to requests for comment, leaving many questions unanswered about the implications of this arrest regarding his official responsibilities.

In addition to his current role, Fountain has a history of political aspirations, having run unsuccessfully for the position of state representative in 2018 and campaigning for a state Senate seat in 2022. The arrest and its ramifications could significantly affect his political future as well as the trust and safety perceptions regarding the childcare facilities he oversees.

The Montgomery County community and beyond are poised for further developments as more information becomes available regarding the investigation and the legal process ahead for Fountain.