Another Jefferson County Man Busted in Undercover Internet Predator Sting

BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Another Jefferson County man is facing charges after being busted in an undercover sting seeking out local internet predators.

Court documents indicate the Brookville Borough Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 56-year-old Raymond Taylor, of Brookville:

  • Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses, Felony 1
  • Criminal Solicitation – Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses, Felony 1
  • Criminal Attempt – Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses, Felony 1
  • Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
  • Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3

According to a criminal complaint, around 8:33 a.m. on Sunday, October 14, Officer Turnbull, of the Brookville Borough Police Department – posing undercover as a 15-year-old girl, received a waving notification from Raymond Taylor on a profile on an open source social media messaging platform.

Officer Turnbull replied to the wave and had a small conversation with Taylor before Taylor broke contact, saying he would keep in touch. On Thursday, October 18, Taylor waved again, and Officer Turnbull replied around 7:31 a.m. on Friday, October 19.

According to the complaint, when Officer Turnbull questioned Taylor about his age, Taylor said he was 56, confirming his identity. Officer Turnbull gave the age of 15 for the profile he was utilizing, and Taylor asked if he should leave the profile alone. Officer Turnbull told Taylor he did not have to if he did not want to, in order to provide Taylor an opportunity to discontinue the contact with an apparent minor.

The complaint notes that Taylor continued the conversation, saying he believed he knew who the profile was. Officer Turnbull went along with Taylor, allowing him to believe that he knew the profile as a person. Taylor then informed the profile he would like to meet for a meal at a local business sometime and told the profile to say “hi” then next time they passed.

Around 10:33 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, Taylor sent the profile a good morning message, and Officer Turnbull responded and started a conversation of GIFs (animated emojis). Taylor then said he would message the profile later.

On Sunday, October 28, Taylor waved at the profile and began another conversation.

According to the complaint, Taylor invited the profile to his residence to spend time. When asked about what would happen at his residence, Taylor said they would watch TV and talk. Officer Turnbull replied that it was raining, and Taylor offered the profile a ride. Finally, after Officer Turnbull replied again that it was raining, Taylor said he “gave up” and “wanted to be with” the profile.

Officer Turnbull replied that the profile would like to be with Taylor, as well, and Taylor asked what they’d like to do besides talk. Officer Turnbull then went on to ask Taylor what he was thinking. Taylor responded by saying he was thinking the same thing the profile was thinking, and said “you know” and “just come over.”

Officer Turnbull suggested Taylor make it later in the day so that they wouldn’t be seen, which also served the purpose of a cover of darkness to hide awaiting officers, and they agreed on a time and a meeting location in Brookville.

According to the complaint, Taylor agreed to bring condoms to the meeting and confirmed the meeting throughout the day. Taylor was also in contact with the profile during his walk to ensure that he was not getting lost.

The complaint notes that Taylor was observed walking to the meeting location. He was then taken into custody and read his Miranda rights prior to agreeing to speak to Officer Turnbull.

According to the complaint, Taylor admitted that he was aware of why he was being taken into custody because he “came to meet the girl.” Officer Turnbull asked him about the condoms, and Taylor reported they were in his shirt pocket.

The complaint notes that Officer Turnbull recovered to condoms, and Officer Kidder recovered Taylor’s cell phone.

According to the complaint, in a later interview, Taylor admitted he was coming to meet the profile and he knew she was 15 years old. He also admitted that if sex came up, he intended to have sex with the profile.

Based on the investigation, Taylor was arraigned at 8:31 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, in Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak’s office.

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

He is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Two other Jefferson County men were busted in a similar sting earlier this month. 61-year-old Michael George Day, of Reynoldsville, and 54-year-old James Joseph Moore, of Brookville, are both scheduled to stand for preliminary hearings in front of Judge Bazylak on Wednesday, November 7.


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