May 29, 2009

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of Internet predator accused of using animal costumes to sexually proposition teenage boy

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the arrest of a Cumberland County man accused of using Internet chats and instant messages to sexually proposition a 15-year old boy from Harrisburg - including discussions about dressing up in animal costumes and engaging in various sex acts with the boy.

Corbett identified the defendant as Alan David Berlin, 40, 1 Bellaire Ave., Carlisle.

Corbett said that Berlin, a legislative staff member with the Pennsylvania Senate, allegedly used the screen name "alan_panda_bear" to approach a 15-year old boy.  During a series of chats in April and May, Berlin allegedly discussed various sex acts with the boy, including a proposal that Berlin travel to the boy's home in Harrisburg and have sex with him in the back yard, while the boy's parents slept. 

According to the criminal complaint, Berlin also requested nude photos of the boy and suggested that he arrange a meeting between the boy and another adult, offering to get them a hotel room if Berlin could take pictures of them having sex.

Corbett said the boy's parents became concerned after discovering sexually graphic messages on their son's computer and contacted the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit, which began an investigation on May 26th.

"As kids across the state count-down the days until the start of summer vacation, it is essential for parents to regularly discuss online safety and carefully monitor their children's Internet use," Corbett said.  "Parents should stress that Internet predators will use whatever they can to attract the attention of children, from offers of gifts like video games or digital cameras, to things like dressing up in animal costumes or shopping for sexy underwear."

Berlin was arrested in Carlisle on May 28th by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Carlisle  and North Middleton Township Police Departments.

Berlin is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse), a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. 

Additionally, Berlin is charged with one count each of unlawful contact with a minor (related to sexual exploitation of children), criminal attempted sexual exploitation of children and criminal solicitation to commit sexual abuse of children (related to child pornography), all second-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 fines.

Berlin is also charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a computer, both third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Berlin was preliminarily arraigned on May 28th before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge George A. Zozos and lodged in the Dauphin County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 5th, at 10 a.m., before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge William C. Wenner.

Berlin will be prosecuted in Dauphin County by Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Sprow of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.

Corbett thanked the police departments from Carlisle, North Middleton Township (Cumberland County) and Lower Paxton Township (Dauphin County) 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 214 men from across Pennsylvania and from as far away as Texas, Florida and Kentucky. 

"So far this year, our agents have made 39 arrests - a nearly 40% increase compared to the same period last year," Corbett said. "Predators know that more young people will be online during the summer and many will be home alone for long periods of time, so it is important for parents to take steps now to be certain their kids are prepared and protected."

Corbett encouraged parents to monitor the Internet activities of their children, including:

• What websites they visit.
• 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.

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

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

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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