HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Newark, Delaware man accused of using an Internet game chat room to sexually proposition what he believed was a 12-year old girl, as well as sending sexually explicit webcam videos to the girl. The “girl” was actually an undercover agent from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, who was using the online profile of a child.
Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Riley D. Gantt, 35, Newark, DE.
Corbett explained that the 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 116 online predators.
According to the criminal charges, Gantt approached an undercover agent in August 2007, using an internet chat room which was established to discuss popular “Playstation” video games. After asking for the girl’s age, sex and location, Gantt allegedly transmitted a webcam video of himself masturbating in front of his computer.
Corbett said that over the next several weeks, Gantt allegedly used an instant message program to repeatedly contact the girl – discussing her age, friends and school-related activities and sending her two additional nude webcam videos.
Gantt was taken into custody at his home on Friday, Dec. 28, by officers from the Newark Police Department, acting on information provided by agents from the Child Predator Unit. Officers from the Newark Police Department also executed a search of Gantt’s home, seizing two computers and a webcam, which were turned over to the Child Predator Unit. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Gantt immediately waived extradition in Delaware and was transported to Montgomery County to face criminal charges.
Gantt is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor (obscene or sexual performances) 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.
Gantt was preliminarily arraigned on December 28th before Norristown Magisterial District Judge Esther Casillo and lodged in the Montgomery County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2008, at 10 a.m., before Collegeville Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Crahalla.
Gantt will be prosecuted in Montgomery County by Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Sprow of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the Newark, Delaware, Police Department for their assistance and cooperation with this investigation.
Child Predator Unit
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.
“The Internet is a wonderful tool for information and communication, but not every section of the World Wide Web is appropriate for children,” Corbett said. “Child predators have moved from the real-life playground or school yard to the virtual playground of chat rooms and social networking sites – where they can hide their identities and their true intentions until they find a potential victim.”
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 sexually solicit children or send sexually 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 with the Attorney General’s website.
Detailed information about Internet safety is also available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just 4 Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s website.