BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Two Jefferson County men are facing charges after being busted in an undercover sting seeking out local internet predators.
Court documents indicate that the following charges were filed against 61-year-old Michael George Day, of Reynoldsville, and 54-year-old James Joseph Moore, of Brookville:
- 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
The Brookville Borough Police Department filed charges against Day on October 7.
Charges against Moore were filed on October 9.
Michael George Day
According to a criminal complaint, on Saturday, October 6, Officer Turnbull, of the Brookville Borough Police Department, received – on a fictitious open source social media account – a message from Mike Day. The complaint notes that the fictitious account’s persona is a 15-year-old female.
The fictitious persona made Day aware of her age, and Day still said she was attractive, and he wanted to meet her. They discussed dates and times, and when asked, Day said he would like a hand job or a blow job. Day also discussed having sex with the persona and offered to bring marijuana, according to the complaint.
A final date and time were set, and Officer Turnbull and a team awaited him at the agreed upon location in Brookville Borough. Officer Turnbull conducted a traffic stop and Brookville Borough Police Chief Vince Markel and Officer Turnbull detained Day.
According to the complaint, when asked, Day allegedly admitted that he believed he was stopped because he was talking with a female.
The complaint also notes that condoms, which had been discussed with the persona, were found in plain view in Day’s vehicle.
Day was arraigned at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, in Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office.
Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail, where he currently awaits a preliminary hearing.
James Joseph Moore
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 at 11:49 a.m. 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.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 16, with Judge Bazylak presiding.
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