Offender used Snapchat to exchange thousands of messages
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a 67-year-old Schuylkill County man regarding possession of child sexual abuse material and for unlawful contact with a child — who the man made plans to meet for sexual abuse.
Robert E. Kroh was on parole for a felony theft conviction when the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section learned from an FBI source that Kroh was contacting who he thought was a pre-teenage child. An FBI agent posed as a child and engaged in online conversation with Kroh, who exchanged thousands of messages via Snapchat with the “child,” while making plans to meet the “child” in Connecticut.
Kroh was arrested Tuesday after a search warrant was served at his Kelayres home.
He was arraigned on 14 felony charges, including unlawful contact with a child (criminal attempt) and sexual abuse of children (possession of CSAM). A magisterial district judge denied bail, to ensure Kroh’s next court appearance and the safety of the community.
“This case shows what can be done when law enforcement works together and takes timely action to remove child predators from communities,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This 67-year-old man made it clear to who he thought was a pre-teenage child that he wanted to meet for sexual abuse, and had every intention of doing so — before law enforcement ended his deviant plans.”
Beginning in late February, the FBI assisted the Office of Attorney General regarding the online conversations involving Kroh. Further investigation confirmed Kroh made plans to meet the “child” in May.
Agents also found that Kroh possessed CSAM.
Kroh is on state parole for stealing a large amount of money from a church, resulting in a 2023 felony theft conviction.
The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Mary Phillips. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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