May 21, 2009

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of Erie County Internet predator accused of posing as a teenage girl & sending child porn

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested an Erie County man accused of posing as a teenage girl while using Internet chat rooms to sexually proposition an undercover agent, along with transmitting child pornography.

Corbett identified the defendant as David A. Jones, 33, 110 Walker Drive, Edinboro.

Corbett said that Jones allegedly posed as a 19-year old bi-sexual girl when he used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit in April 2009.  At the time, the undercover agent was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.

"Internet predators will take on many different identities - often posing as young girls or boys in an attempt to strike-up an online relationship with children," Corbett said.  "As summer vacation season quickly approaches online predators are becoming increasingly active, and it is essential that parents and children understand this threat."

According to the criminal complaint, Jones described various sex acts in graphic detail and encouraged undercover agent to masturbate so that she would be "ready" for sexual activity. 

Corbett said that Jones is also accused of sending photos of teenage girls to the agent, claiming that the photos were Jones.  One of those images is suspected allegedly showed a nude girl engaging in sexual activity.

Jones was arrested at his home on May 19th by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Edinboro Police Department.

Corbett said that Edinboro police also assisted with the execution of a search warrant at Jones' home, which resulted in the seizure of two computers, a cell phone, numerous data storage devices and 13 weapons.

Jones is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials); two counts of criminal attempted unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials); three counts of sexual abuse of children (related to child pornography); two counts of attempted obscene or sexual performances and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Jones was preliminarily arraigned before East Springfield Magisterial District Judge Christopher Mackendrick and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.  Jones was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with children, except his own, and is prohibited from using the Internet.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 29th, at 10 a.m., before Edinboro Magisterial District Judge Denise Stuck-Lewis.

Jones will be prosecuted in Erie County by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye II of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.

Corbett thanked the Edinboro Police Department for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Online Dangers
Corbett explained that since its creation in January 2005, agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested 213 men from across Pennsylvania and from as far away as Texas, Florida and Kentucky. 

"So far this year, our agents have made 36 arrests - a nearly 50% increase compared to the same period last year," Corbett said.

Corbett noted that online activity for children typically increases during summer vacation, triggering a matching increase in activity by online predators trying to communicate with kids. 

"Online safety is something that should be regularly discussed by every family," Corbett said, "because predators are busy looking for kids who are lonely or vulnerable."

Corbett encouraged parents to monitor how their children use the Internet, including:

• What websites they use.
• What social networking sites they may frequent (MySpace, Facebook, etc).
• The importance of not sharing personal information with strangers (names, ages, addresses, schools or other identifying information).
• Avoiding strangers who approach them online.
• Reporting any contact with individuals who engage in sexual discussions or attempt to send graphic photos or videos.

Corbett said that suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit by using the "Report a Predator" link on the front page of the Attorney General's website.

Individuals with information about potential Internet predators can also call the Attorney General's Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044. 

Additionally, Corbett said that safety tips and other information are available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "Just for Kids" sections of the Attorney General's website. Also, organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, may contact the Attorney General's Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.

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

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