ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. (EYT) — A New Bethlehem man is facing felony charges after he allegedly used a social media application to arrange sexual encounters with an underage boy.

On January 19, Kittanning-based State Police filed the following charges against 47-year-old Scott Carter Sherry at Magisterial District Judge Kevin Lee McCausland’s office:

• Interference with Custody Of Children, Felony 2 (2 counts)
• Corruption of Minors, Misdemeanor 1 (2 counts)

According to a criminal complaint filed by Kittanning-based State Police Tpr. Stivason, the investigation was initiated on October 6, 2017, after the mother of the victim reported to Clarion-based State Police that Sherry had been contacting her son.

The criminal complaint indicates that the woman provided screenshots from her son’s phone showing messages between Sherry and the victim.

The victim also told his mother that he had sexual contact with Sherry, according to the criminal complaint.

An interview was conducted with the victim who indicated that Sherry contacted him via a mobile phone application called “Grindr.”

According to the criminal complaint, Sherry allegedly asked the victim to “hang out” resulting in the victim sneaking out of his house at night. Sherry then picked the victim up and took him back to his own house along Seminole Road in Mahoning Township, Armstrong County.

While at the residence, Sherry allegedly had sexual relations with the victim.

The victim told police that sexual contact occurred on two separate occasions and that no one else was at Sherry’s residence at the time of either incident, according to the criminal complaint.

The alleged incidents occurred between May 2017 and October 2017.

Sherry was arraigned on January 19 at 9:15 a.m. before Judge McCausland.

Bail was set at $10,000.00 monetary.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 23 at 1:00 p.m. with Judge McCausland presiding.