HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today that a Westmoreland County man has pleaded guilty to felony charges of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt and criminal use of a communication facility, after attempting to have sexual contact with a 14-year-old minor.
Kelly Harrington, 48, of Clinton Road, Normalville, was arrested in June 2018. His charges are a result of an online investigation where Harrington was in communication with an undercover Office of Attorney General agent posing as a minor online.
After Harrington learned the minor was 14 years old, Harrington continued to pursue a conversation to meet and solicited the child for unlawful sexual contact, as stated in the criminal complaint.
“My office is committed to protecting children from abuse and will prosecute anyone we find attempting to prey on minors to the fullest extent of the law,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “This predator made arrangements to meet up with someone he believed was only 14 years old. Thanks to the relentless work of our agents and prosecutors, he is being held accountable for his illegal actions.”
The plea was entered before Judge Bilik-DeFazio. Sentencing will be scheduled 90 days after the presentence investigation is completed. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Chuck Washburn.
The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section has made 179 arrests since January 2017 when Attorney General Shapiro was sworn into office.
Suspected child predators can be reported by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Individuals who suspect an online predator or abuse can also send anonymous tips by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.
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