July 24, 2009

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of online predators in Chester & Westmoreland counties; summer web predator arrests double

Joshua S. Jeffrey

David Gary Doctor

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested men in Chester and Westmoreland counties who are accused of using the Internet to sexually solicit what they believed were young girls. The "girls" were actually undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit who were using the online profiles of children.

Corbett identified the defendants as Joshua S. Jeffrey, 24, 230 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham, Chester County, and David Gary Doctor, 41, 860 4th Ave., New Kensington, Westmoreland County.

Corbett said that both Jeffrey and Doctor are accused of using Internet chat rooms to approach and sexually proposition undercover agents who were using the online profiles of 13- and 14-year old girls.  Both men also allegedly used computer webcams to send nude images to the girls.

Corbett stresses that online predators are a serious threat in every Pennsylvania community, noting that since the start of this summer, agents from the Child Predator Unit have made 15 arrests - more than double the number of arrests that were made during the same period last summer.  Additionally, Corbett said agents have made 51 arrests so far this year - a 42% increase compared to 2008.

Corbett encouraged parents to regularly discuss online safety with their children, especially during the summer months when more teenagers are online and unsupervised for longer periods of time.

 "Parents need to understand that online chats can quickly escalate to include sexual discussions, plans for face-to-face meetings or the transmission of graphic photos and videos," Corbett said. "Parents should regularly discuss online safety with their children and stress the importance of immediately reporting any situation where strangers make sexual propositions, attempt to arrange meetings or send graphic photos or videos."

Joshua S. Jeffrey
Corbett said that Jeffrey allegedly engaged in sexually graphic discussions during his first online chat with an agent who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl, asking her if she had ever touched a man's genitalia and offering to instruct her about oral sex.

According to the criminal complaint, Jeffrey also proposed meeting the girl for sex, adding that he would bring condoms to prevent her from getting pregnant and noting, "I could go to jail  u know. cos ur underage."

Corbett said that Jeffrey later used a webcam to allegedly send nude images to the girl.

Jeffrey was arrested on July 22nd by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the West Nottingham Township police department.  Following a preliminary arraignment he was released on $10,000 straight bail pending a preliminary hearing on July 29th.

Jeffrey is 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. 

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

David Gary Doctor
Corbett said that Doctor allegedly used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent who was using the online profile of a 14-year old girl. 

According to the criminal complaint, Doctor used a webcam to send the girl nude images of himself during their first online chat - warning her, "there r too many freaks out there," but adding that he was not one of the "perverts."  Still, after allegedly sending the nude webcam video, Doctor commented, "it was hot to show u."

Corbett said that Doctor continued to approach the girl online, telling her that he was "horny" and proposing that they meet for sex.  He later sent a webcam video that allegedly showed him nude and masturbating in front of his computer.

Doctor was arrested on July 23rd by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the New Kensington Police Department.  Following a preliminary hearing Doctor was jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 31st.

Doctor is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor and two counts 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. 

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

Internet Safety
"Predators will always be drawn to locations that give them the greatest access to the largest number of potential victims," Corbett said. "Today, they stalk a variety of online sites, including chat rooms; social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook; Internet message boards; video game sites; and even online classified ads on Craigslist."

Corbett noted that the techniques used by Internet predators change rapidly, spurred by developments in communication technology and changes in where and how children communicate online.  He added that predators will communicate with children in many different ways, using public or private online chat rooms, instant message programs, text messages, email, cell phones and webcams. 

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" online complaint form.

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.

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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