BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – A Brookville man busted in an undercover sting seeking out local internet predators waived his preliminary hearing this week.
According to court documents, the following charges against 54-year-old James Joseph Moore, of Brookville, were waived for court on Wednesday, November 7:
- Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses, Felony 1
- Criminal Solicitation – Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1 (two counts)
- Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
- Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3
The charges have been transferred to Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
Moore is currently free on a surety posted by a profession bondsman on Friday, November 2.
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.
Unable to post $60,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on October 9.
Moore was released after a surety was posted by a professional bondsman on Friday, November 2.
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