The defendants are identified as David M. Robbins and Shawn Mendez Mason. He noted that the Child Predator Unit has arrested 76 suspected Internet predators since its creation in January 2005.
"Predators know that summer vacation is about to begin, and soon many kids will be home alone for much of the day," Corbett said. "It is essential that parents talk to their kids now about Internet safety, and make it clear that they should never chat with strangers or arrange to meet someone who approaches them online."
Mason approached an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit on May 1, 2007, and immediately began asking the girl a series of explicit questions. According to the criminal complaint, Mason quickly proposed a meeting and described in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to engage in.
May 29, 2007, Mason provided the girl with a detailed plan for a meeting at a local park including a special question that he would ask the girl in order to prove that he was the one who had contacted her online. Mason was arrested by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by McKeesport Police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on May 29th, when he arrived at the pre-arranged meeting location.
Mason is charged with one count each of unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a computer, both third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Robbins approached an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit on March 23, 2007. During their initial chat, Robbins allegedly asked the girl about her sexual experience and commented on her appearance.
According to the criminal complaint, two days later Robbins again contacted the girl, and allegedly encouraged her to take nude pictures of herself, which could be transferred or shared later. Additionally, Corbett said the charges state that Robbins indicated he had a Webcam and used it to show "lots of things" to people he met online. Over the next several weeks, Robbins allegedly transmitted a total of six graphic Webcam videos to the girl.
Robbins was arrested at his home at approximately 3 p.m. on Friday, June 1, 2007, as he engaged in a nude Webcam chat with agents from the Child Predator Unit.
Robbins is charged with six counts of unlawful contact with a minor and six counts of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Both Robbins and Mason are currently in custody, awaiting preliminary hearings.
The Attorney General's Child Predator Unit was created in January 2005 to conduct proactive undercover investigations to identify and capture Internet predators before they can harm children. To date, the unit has arrested 76 suspected child predators from Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
"Parents need to understand that predators are actively using the Internet to seek out and contact children," Corbett said.
