HARRISBURG – Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a moving company executive from Virginia accused of using hidden Internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year old girl, as well as sending sexually explicit and pornographic webcam videos to the girl. The “girl” was actually an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit, who was using the online profile of a child.
Corbett identified the defendant as Glenn P. Stephens, 52, Leesburg, Virginia. Stephens is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President of a transportation and storage company.
Corbett explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit was created in January 2005 to conduct proactive undercover investigations in order to identify and capture Internet predators before they can harm children. To date, the unit has arrested 111 Internet predators from Pennsylvania and several other states.
According to the criminal complaint, Stephens, using the name “Gene Grant,” initially approached an undercover agent in July 2007, using a hidden Internet chat room which has been used by predators arrested in previous investigations by the Child Predator Unit.
Corbett said that Stephens allegedly began questioning the girl about her sexual experience within moments of their initial contact, and quickly offered to “teach” her about sex, asking her, “wouldn’t ya like to be first time with an older patient man who can teach ya everything?” This discussion occurred after the undercover agent had clearly indicated that she was a 13-year old girl from the Pittsburgh area.
According to the criminal charges, Stephens frequently expressed a desire to instruct the girl about sex, telling her, “I would teach you everything about sex. all the positions. how to give real pleasure to a man and how to get pleasure and really enjoy sex.”
Corbett said that Stephens told the child that he lived in Virginia, about three hours away from Pittsburgh, but allegedly emphasized his desire to meet her in Pittsburgh, commenting, “I would fly across the country to be with you, so you are really close as far as I’m concerned.”
According to the criminal complaint, Stephens engaged in a series of online and email exchanges with the child between July and October 2007, graphically describing the sex acts he wished to engage in. He also allegedly asked the girl if she had ever used marijuana, adding, “maybe sometime we will, after you learn about sex.”
Corbett said that Stephens allegedly sent the girl a series of Internet links to sexually graphic online videos, and directed her to view them. Afterward, he allegedly told her, “it is something you can really learn to do real good. I’d love to teach you.”
According to the criminal complaint, Stephens continued to express a desire to meet the girl in Pittsburgh, but explained that scheduling a meeting would be difficult because he was traveling extensively on business.
Corbett said that Stephens allegedly continued to contact the child while in California and Illinois, at one point sending her a live webcam video of himself masturbating – supposedly from his hotel suite in Chicago.
Corbett said that agents from the Child Predator Unit worked closely with the Virginia State Police and Loudoun County Virginia Sheriff’s Office to monitor Stephens’ home and office, and verify when he had returned from his most recent business trip.
Stephens was arrested at his office in Leesburg, Virginia, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, based on information provided by the Child Predator Unit. Stephens waived extradition in Virginia and was transported to Pennsylvania on Wednesday, December 5th, where he was lodged in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.
Corbett said that a search warrant was executed a Stephens’ home by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office, resulting in the seizure of two laptop computers, a desktop computer, a webcam, data storage devices and several photos which were allegedly sent to the “child” during the course of the undercover investigation. In addition, a laptop computer was recovered from Stephens’ employer. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Corbett said that Stephens is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (obscene or sexual materials of performances), two counts of attempted obscene or sexual performances and two counts of criminal use of a computer. All of those charges are third-degree felonies, which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Stephens will be prosecuted in Allegheny County by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye II of the Attorney General’s Child Predator unit.
Corbett thanked the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigative Division (Leesburg) and the Virginia State Police for their cooperation and extensive assistance with this investigation.
Child Predator Unit
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.
Corbett explained that many Internet predators launch into sexually explicit conversations during their first online conversations, adding that it has become increasingly common for predators to send nude photos or webcam videos within minutes of contacting what they believe are teenage girls or boys.
“Internet predators are stalking online chat rooms and social networking sites every day, looking for children who are trusting, naïve or vulnerable enough to respond to contact from strangers,” Corbett said. “It is essential that parents discuss online hazards with their children, and contact authorities in situations where their children are sexually propositioned or receive sexually graphic photos or videos from adults who approach them online.”
Corbett encouraged parents to discuss Internet safety with their children, including the danger of meeting strangers who approach them online. Additionally, he urged parents to report predators who attempt to sexually solicit children or send graphic photos and videos.
Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by calling 1-800-385-1044, or by filing an online complaint. Detailed information about Internet safety is also available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just 4 Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s Web site.