October 16, 2009

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of Pike County man in child Internet porn investigation; 242nd arrest by Child Predator Unit

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested a Pike County man accused of using an Internet chat room to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year old girl, along with transmitting illegal child pornography.

Corbett identified the defendant as Edward J. MacGregor, 62, 113 Meadow Ridge Road, Milford.

Corbett said that MacGregor, a retired construction worker, allegedly used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.  During their initial chat, MacGregor allegedly asked the "girl" about sexual activity, encouraged her to masturbate and sent adult pornography to her computer.

"Parents need to understand that online conversations can quickly escalate to include sexually graphic discussions or the transmission of pornographic material, often during the first chat," Corbett said. "It is essential to regularly discuss online safety with children and stress the importance of immediately reporting any situation where strangers make sexual propositions, attempt to arrange meetings or send graphic photos or videos."

According to the criminal complaint, MacGregor sent repeated sexual propositions to the undercover agent - instructing her to masturbate, asking her to send him nude photographs of herself and sending numerous pornographic photos, including several images that appeared to include nude children or children engaging in sexual activity (illegal child pornography).

MacGregor was arrested on Wednesday, October 14th, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police from the Blooming Grove barracks.

MacGregor is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials), two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to child pornography) and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

MacGregor was preliminarily arraigned on October 14th before Dingman's Ferry Magisterial District Judge Stephen McBride, who set bail at $25,000 cash.  MacGregor was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and is prohibited from using the Internet.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 20th at 11:45 a.m.

MacGregor will be prosecuted in Pike County by Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Sprow of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.

Corbett thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Internet Safety

Corbett noted that the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit has arrested 242 Internet predators since it was created in January 2005.  He added that agents have made 61 arrests so far this year - a nearly 20% increase compared to 2008.    

"Parents must understand that Internet predators are active in every part of our state - using online chat rooms, social networking sites, instant messages, digital cameras, webcams and other technology to reach into your homes - sending sexually graphic material to your kids, encouraging teens to send nude photos of themselves or trying to arrange meetings for sex," Corbett said.

He encouraged parents to regularly discuss online safety with their children and to actively monitor how their children use the Internet, including: 

• What websites they visit.
• What social networking sites they frequent (MySpace, Facebook, etc).
• The importance of not sharing personal information with strangers (names, ages, addresses, schools or other identifying information).
• Avoiding strangers who approach them online.
• Reporting any contact with individuals who engage in sexual discussions or attempt to send graphic photos or videos.

Corbett said that suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit by using the "Report a Predator" link, located on the front page of the Attorney General's website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the Attorney General's Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044. 

Additionally, Corbett said that safety tips and other information are available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "Just for Kids" sections of the Attorney General's website. Also, organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, may contact the Attorney General's Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)
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