November 28, 2007

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of two Southeastern PA men in Internet "child sex stings;" 109th and 110th arrests by Child Predator Unit

PHILADELPHIA - Two Southeastern Pennsylvania men have been arrested by agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit as part of separate undercover Internet "child sex stings."  Both men are accused of using Internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what they believed were 13 and 14-year old girls, as well as sending sexually explicit webcam videos to the girls. The "girls" were actually undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit.

Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendants as Matthew R. Grayev, 30, 430 Glen Arbor Court, King of Prussia, Montgomery County and Clifford A. Balson, 57, 727 Moore Ave., Bryn Mawr, Delaware County.

Corbett noted that these men are the 109th and 110th suspected Internet predators that the Child Predator Unit has arrested since its creation in January 2005.

Matthew R. Grayev

According to the criminal complaint, on July 12, 2007, Grayev initiated contact with an undercover agent, who was using the online profile of a 14-year old girl.  Grayev allegedly asked the girl what her figure looked like and gave her his phone number after expressing a desire to talk on the phone.

Corbett said that less than an hour after their initial conversation, Grayev contacted the girl and asked "u curious about guys." Later in the conversation, Grayev allegedly transmitted a graphic webcam image of his exposed genitalia and told the girl "well maybe since I did this fav for you later when you get phone you can do me a fav."

Corbett said that during subsequent conversations Grayev sent two more sexually graphic webcam videos of himself and initiated sexually graphic conversation as he transmitted the videos.  He repeatedly asked the girl what she was wearing and told her to remove her clothes and touch herself.

Grayev is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count criminal use of a communication facility, all third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Greyev was arrested at his home at approximately 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, by agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit, assisted by Upper Merion Township Police.

Greyev was preliminarilly arraigned on November 28th before King of Prussia Magisterial District Judge William Maruszczak and released on $50,000 bail.  He is prohibited from using the Internet and was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors. 

Greyev waived his preliminary hearing.  He is scheduled for formal arraignment in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 21, 2008.

Clifford A. Balson

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 18, 2007, Balson approached an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit, who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.

Corbett said that Balson allegedly sent an instant message to the girl stating "hey - male nudist from Philadelphia - open cam if interested."  Balson continued the conversation after being told the age of the girl and told her that he was naked in his house and that he had a webcam set up to view.

The charges state that Balson exposed his genitalia via webcam three times in two chats that occurred on October 18 and again in an instant message conversation on Nov. 2, 2007.

Corbett said that between October 18 and November 19, Balson had numerous instant message conversations with the child, sometimes telling her he was chatting when he was at work.  

Balson is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count criminal use of a communication facility, all third-degree felonies, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Balson was preliminarilly arraigned on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, and lodged in the Delaware County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.  He is prohibited from using the Internet and was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2007, before Newtown Square Magisterial District Judge David Hamilton Lang.

Corbett said that both Grayev and Balson will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Michael Sprow of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.

Corbett thanked the police departments from Radnor Township, Upper Merion Township and West Goshen Township for their cooperation and assistance with these investigations.

Child Predator Unit

The Attorney General's Child Predator Unit was created in January 2005 to conduct proactive undercover investigations to identify and capture Internet predators before they can harm children.

Corbett explained that many Internet predators launch into sexually explicit conversations during their first online conversations, adding that it has become increasingly common for predators to send nude photos or webcam videos within minutes of contacting what they believe are teenage girls or boys.

"The Internet is a wonderful tool for information and communication, but not every section of the World Wide Web is appropriate for children," Corbett said. "Child predators have moved from the real-life playground or school yard to the virtual playground of chat rooms and social networking sites - where they can hide their identities and their true intentions until they find a potential victim."

Corbett encouraged parents to discuss Internet safety with their children, including the danger of meeting strangers who approach them online. Additionally, he urged parents to report predators who sexually solicit children or send sexually graphic photos and videos.

Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by calling 1-800-385-1044, or file and online complaint.

Detailed information about Internet safety is also available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "Just 4 Kids"  sections of the Attorney General's website.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)

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