HARRISBURG - Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's office today announced the arrests of two Pennsylvania men following an investigation into the online solicitation and sexual exploitation of children through online advertisements.
"We have an unwavering commitment to protect Pennsylvania's children," said Attorney General Kane. "This is yet another example of how we aggressively track, arrest and prosecute those who seek to mistreat children."
Jeffrey Alan Harvey, 39, 216 Stites St., West Wyoming, Luzerne County, was arrested on Tuesday after attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a person he believed was a 13-year-old boy.
According to the criminal complaint, agents with the Office of Attorney General's Child Predator Section were operating undercover and posing online as a 13-year-old boy. They responded to an advertisement that Harvey had posted on Craigslist.
The charges state that Harvey propositioned the teen for sex via email. Agents allege Harvey specifically requested to visit the boy's home and engage in sexual relations.
Harvey was taken into custody on Tuesday when he arrived at a pre-determined location in Lackawanna County to meet the 13-year-old boy. He is charged with one count each of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault and criminal use of a communication facility.
Harvey is confined to the Lackawanna County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 5.
During an interview with agents, Harvey stated he had met a number of individuals, through online advertisements, who were interested in sexual contact with minors.
The information Harvey provided led agents with the Office of Attorney General's Child Predator Section to execute a search warrant in the early morning hours on Wednesday at the home of David R. Parker, 37, 310 Rustic Lane, Saylorsburg, Monroe County.
A preliminary review of Parker's cellular telephone by the Office of Attorney General's Computer Forensics Unit revealed numerous images of apparent child pornography.
Parker was placed under arrest and is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
He is confined to the Monroe County Prison after failing to post $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for July 18.
Attorney General Kane thanked the Lackawanna County district attorney's office and the Scranton Police Department for assisting with Harvey's arrest. She stated that the investigation is ongoing.
The defendants will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo of the Office of Attorney General's Child Predator Section.
Attorney General Kane thanked the Lackawanna County district attorney's office and the Scranton Police Department for assisting with Harvey's arrest. She stated that the investigation is ongoing.
The defendants will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo of the Office of Attorney General's Child Predator Section.
No comments:
Post a Comment