Hearing for Accused Internet Predator Continued

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Published October 20, 2018 4:21 am
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BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — The preliminary hearing for Brookville man facing charges after being busted in an undercover sting seeking out local internet predators was continued this week.

According to court documents, the preliminary hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday, October 16, for 54-year-old James Joseph Moore, of Brookville, has been continued to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7.

Moore is facing the following charges:

  • Unlawful Contact With Minor — Sexual Offenses, Felony 1
  • Criminal Solicitation — Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
  • Criminal Attempt — Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
  • Corruption Of Minors — Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
  • Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3

Unable to post $60,000.00 monetary bail, he remains lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.

Details of the case:

On Monday, October 8, Officer Turnbull of the Brookville Borough Police Department received — on a fictitious open source social media account — a friend request from James Moore, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint notes that the fictitious account’s persona is a 15-year-old female.

According to the complaint, when the persona gave Moore her age, Moore said he thought she was older and began asking about details of her life and online interactions, then asked if the persona would like to be more than friends. He asked if she had “played around with a guy before.” Moore then continued to express a desire to meet and “hold each other” and “whatever else we would feel like doing.” Moore also asked about the persona’s father’s schedule and when the persona is home alone.

Moore went on to ask if the persona would have sex with him, and the persona informed him he would have to use condoms. Moore also requested the persona send him naked photos, according to the complaint.

They set a date, time, and location to meet, and Officer Turnbull remained in contact with Moore, via the fictitious account, as Moore approached the location and described his vehicle.

Officer Stormer initiated a traffic stop on Moore’s vehicle, and Officers Stormer and Turnbull, along with Brookville Borough Police Chief Vince Markel, took Moore into custody.

The complaint notes that during a pat-down for weapons, a bottle of lubricant was found on Moore’s person, and condoms were found in plain view on the vehicle’s front seat.

According to the complaint, Moore agreed to speak to the officers and allegedly admitted he purchased the condoms with the intent to meet the persona and use them.

Moore was arraigned on Tuesday, October 9, in Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak’s office.

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