Three Internet Child Predators Arrested in Pennsylvania Sting

The Pennsylvania Attorney General, Tom Corbett, announced today that men have been arrested in the last week as part of sting conducted by the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit. The three men allegedly used chat rooms and instant messaging services to contact agents posing as 13 year old girls. Each man acted independently and sent explicit photos or video by web cam to the undercover agent. One of the men arrested had initially posed as a 16 year old boy, and quickly engaged in graphic propositions.

"It is important for parents and children to understand that predators are actively using Internet chat rooms to seek out young victims -- often sending nude photos or videos during their initial chats," Corbett said. "The Attorney General's Child Predator Unit was specifically created to identify and capture these predators before they can harm kids, and we are dedicated to carrying out that mission -- to date, the unit has arrested 96 predators from Pennsylvania and several other states."

In one of the cases, Joseph Forbes, a business analyst in Moon Township, contacted an undercover agent in November 2006 and asked for pictures during their initial chat. He then allegedly created a Myspace profile to gain access to what he thought were pictures of the 13 year old. He contacted the agent several times over the following months, describing graphic sex acts and asking the girl if she would enjoy being tied and forced to perform sexually. Lingerie matching items Forbes wore in photos he sent to the child were later found during a search of his home. Forbes allegedly sent the girl four sexually explicit and nude photographs over the course of their chat. He is being charged with six separate third degree felonies that are punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fine each. Forbes is currently in an Allengheny County prison in lieu of bail, awaiting formal arraignment.

In another case, Andrew Mascitelli, a college student in Altoona, contacted an undercover agent and presented himself as a 16-year-old boy. Corbett said Mascitelli sent a photo of an exposed penis, and repeatedly asked to meet for sex. He is charged with two third degree felonies, punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fine each. Mascitelli was arrested Thursday, September 27th, and had a preliminary arraignment the same day. He is being held in the Blair County Prison in lieu of bail.

The third man to be arrested, Daniel Diaz of Greencastle, made contact with an undercover agent in a teen chat room. Later that day he allegedly sent the girl an explicit webcam video. He has been arrested on two third degree felonies as well. He was arrested Friday, September 28th.

"The Internet is a wonderful tool for information and communication, but it has also become a popular stalking ground for predators searching for young victims -- either sexually propositioning children or sending explicit photos or videos," Corbett said. "It is essential that parents talk to their children about online hazards, and report any predator who sexually solicits children or who sends them sexually graphic material."

Source:

Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General Corbett Announces the Arrest of Internet Predators in Pittsburgh, Altoona and Franklin County; 96 Arrests by Child Predator Unit, PR Newswire