Posted on Fri, Dec. 21, 2007
By Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested men in Cambria and Venango counties, accused of using Internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what they believed were teenage girls, as well as sending sexually explicit photos to the girls.
Corbett explained that the Child Predator Unit has arrested six online predators during the past month, and a total of 52 arrests this year - highlighting the importance of discussing Internet safety with children, especially if they will be receiving new electronic devices as holiday gifts.
"Many new electronic items will be unwrapped this holiday season, ranging from computers and digital cameras to cell phones and video game systems," Corbett said. "Most of these devices allow for online access, or have the ability to send and receive text, photos and video messages - opening the door to new sections of the Internet and possible communication with predators."
Corbett said that Internet predators know that many kids will be exploring new sections of the Internet, and are actively searching for potential victims - noting that since Thanksgiving, agents from the Child Predator Unit have made a series of arrest across Pennsylvania, and beyond, involving men who were allegedly sending sexually explicit photos or videos to what they thought were young girls. The "girls" were actually undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit using the online profiles of children.
"Our most recent arrests include a car salesman from Delaware County, a hotel desk clerk from Montgomery County, a moving company executive from Virginia, a music D-J from Schuylkill County, a former school technology administrator from Cambria County and a Venango County man who was allegedly using his neighbor's computer to send nude photos to children," Corbett said. "These men come from many different backgrounds and many different communities, all sharing a common desire to have sexual contact with children."
Corbett noted that the Child Predator Unit has arrested 114 online predators since it was created in January 2005. To date, the unit has a 100% conviction rate.
Corbett said that predators are using popular websites to look for young victims, including social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook, and even online advertising sites, like CraigsList.com.
"Predators are looking for kids who are vulnerable or lonely," Corbett said. "They gather information from online profiles and 'blogs' to learn what kids like or dislike, and use that information to connect with children and gain their trust."
Corbett added that modern communication technology makes it easy for predators to contact children. High-speed internet connections allow the quick transfer of large video and photo files, and digital cameras and webcams are inexpensive and easy to use. Also, many cell phones can now capture high quality photos and video, or can access the Internet directly, opening the door for even easier mobile communication with children.
"The best defense is to talk to your children regularly about Internet safety and understand what they are doing online," Corbett said. "Discuss where they go and who they chat with; review their MySpace pages or other online profiles and stress the dangers of face-to-face meetings with any strangers who approach them online."
Additionally, Corbett suggested that parents do their own research by visiting MySpace, Facebook and other online sites, to see first-hand what information their children are posting. He also suggested that parents may want to use Internet search websites, such as Google, to see what public information has been posted about their children.
"The Internet is a good information resource, but kids need supervision," Corbett said. "Working together, law enforcement and parents can hopefully prevent that new electronic gift from being used to harm a child."
Recent Child Predator Arrests - Corbett said agents from the Child Predator Unit have made two arrests this week, involving individuals who were allegedly transmitting nude or sexually explicit images to what they believed were children.
Corbett identified the defendants as Allen David Stossel, 43, 199 Ridge Road, Hastings, Cambria County, and Todd A. McMillen, 28, 143 Titan Lane, Franklin, Venango County.
Allen David Stossel - Corbett said that Stossel, a former school information technology administrator and former township supervisor, allegedly approached an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit in October 2007. At the time, the agent was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.
According to the criminal complaint, Stossel immediately attempted to determine if the agent was a child, commenting, "(I) don't want to be on Dateline" - referring to a popular network television program that identifies online predators.
Corbett said that Stossel requested a photo of the girl, and transmitted his own photos in return - including a nude photo of male genitalia. During that initial chat Stossel also allegedly transmitted webcam images of himself masturbating, telling the girl, "man, you better not be a cop."
According to the criminal charges, Stossel engaged in a series of chats during the following weeks, at one point telling the girl that his 12-year old niece lived with him - adding that he often exposed his penis for her to view, and allowed his niece to touch his penis.
Corbett said that Stossell was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police, Ebensburg barracks. Agents also executed a search of Stossel's home, seizing multiple computers and digital storage devices which will be analyzed by the Attorney General's Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Stossel is charged with five counts of unlawful contact with a minor along with one count 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.
Stossel was preliminarily arraigned on December 19th before Hastings Magisterial District Judge Michael Zungali and released on $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 28th.
Stossel will be prosecuted in Cambria County by Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Sprow of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.
Todd A. McMillen
Corbett said that McMillen allegedly used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit in August 2007. At the time, the agent was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl, prompting McMillen to comment, "you're 13 - makes me feel like an old man."
According to the criminal complaint, McMillen asked the girl if they could exchange photos, asking her, "you like dirty pics?" Immediately after that comment, McMillen allegedly sent the girl two images of a nude male penis, asking her, "would you be able to handle all of it?"
Corbett said that McMillen expressed a desire to meet the girl, and described in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to engage in. He also proceeded to send nude videos to the girl, telling her that he enjoyed "playing" with his webcam - though in several instances McMillen claimed to be using his neighbor's home and computer to engage in sexual conversations.
McMillen was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police, Franklin barracks. Agents also executed a search of McMillen's home, along with his neighbor's home (where he allegedly communicated with the child), seizing computers from both locations. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General's Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
McMillen is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor, three counts of criminal attempted obscene performances and three 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.
McMillen was preliminarily arraigned on Thursday, December 20th, before Magisterial District Judge Douglas Dinberg and lodged in the Venango County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan., 9, 2008, in Venango County Central Court.
McMillen will be prosecuted in Venango County by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye II of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the Pennsylvania State Police along with local authorities for their cooperation and assistance with these investigations.
Child Predator Unit
Corbett encouraged parents to report predators who attempt to sexually solicit children or send graphic photos and videos. Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by calling 1-800-385-1044, or online at www.attorneygeneral.gov.
Detailed information about Internet safety is also available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "Just 4 Kids" sections of the Attorney General's website.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)
Editors' Note: Photos of the defendants and copies of the criminal complaints are available by contacting the Attorney General's Press Office at 717-787-5211.
CONTACT: Nils Frederiksen
Deputy Press Secretary
717-787-5211 (Cell: 717-319-2252)
nhf@attorneygeneral.gov
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Nils Frederiksen, Deputy Press Secretary of Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, +1-717-787-5211, Cell: +1-717-319-2252, nhf@attorneygeneral.gov,