HARRISBURG – Attorney General Tom Corbett announced Tuesday that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested three northwestern Pennsylvania men all accused of using Internet chat rooms to sexually solicit what they believed were young girls, as well as sending nude or sexually explicit photos and webcam videos to the girls. The “girls” were actually undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit.
Corbett identified the defendants as Kevin A. Wible, 53, Erie; Shawn M. Hippo, 26, Saegertown, Crawford County; and Eric N. Stevenson, 28, Oil City, Venango County.
“Today’s arrests across northwestern Pennsylvania are examples of the growing trend of ‘webcam predators’ – men who seek sexual gratification by sending nude photos or videos to what they believe are children,” Corbett said. “This is part of a growing trend we are seeing across the state, involving predators who hide in the comfort and security of their own homes, using high-tech tools like webcams, digital cameras and online chat rooms to try to steal the innocence of unsuspecting children.”
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. Including today’s arrests, the unit has arrested 120 Internet predators, including 55 over the past 12-months. To date, the Child Predator Unit has a 100 percent conviction rate.
Corbett noted that the techniques used by Internet predators change rapidly, spurred by developments in communications technology and changes in where and how children communicate online.
“Predators will always be drawn to locations that give them the greatest access to the largest number of potential victims,” Corbett said. “Today, they stalk a variety of online sites, including chat rooms; social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook; Internet message boards; video game sites; and even online classified ads on Craigslist.com.”
Corbett added that predators will communicate with children in many different ways, using public or private online chat rooms, instant message programs, text messages, email, cell phones and webcams.
“It is essential for parents to understand how quickly online conversations can progress from initial contact to sexually explicit content,” Corbett said. “Often, predators will begin a sexually graphic discussion within minutes of contacting a child, and many suspects transmit nude photos or explicit videos during their first online meeting.”
Corbett explained that children do not need access to a webcam or digital camera in order to view photos or videos being sent by predators, adding that high-speed internet connections and inexpensive digital cameras and webcams make it quick and easy for online predators to send sexually explicit files from the comfort and relative safety of their homes.
Of the 55 Internet predators arrested by the Child Predator Unit over the past year, nearly 75% of those cases involved individuals who sent sexually explicit photos or video.
Corbett said that all three of the suspects arrested today in northwestern PA allegedly followed the pattern of other recent “webcam predator” cases:
Kevin Wible, of Erie, allegedly sent a webcam video of himself masturbating during his first chat with what he believed was a 13-year old girl. During that initial chat, Wible allegedly told the undercover agent that he guessed she was a young girl who was home alone, and asked if she “liked watching.” Wible is charged with sending a total of four sexually explicit webcam videos over a three-week period.
Shawn Hippo, of Saegertown, Crawford County, allegedly requested nude photos during his first online chat with an undercover agent, who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl. The following day, Hippo allegedly sent the girl a nude webcam video and graphically described the sex acts he wished to perform with her.
Eric Stevenson, of Oil City, Venango County, allegedly claimed to be 17-years old during his first instant message exchange with what he believed was a 13-year old girl – and used a photo sharing program to send the girl several photos, including two nude images of his penis.
Wible, Hippo and Stevenson were all arrested this morning by agents from the Child Predator Unit, with the assistance of local police departments.
Wible is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor, along with one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines. His case will be prosecuted in Erie County.
Hippo is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor (obscene or sexual performances), three counts of criminal attempted obscene or sexual performances and three counts of criminal use a computer, all third-degree felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines. His case will be prosecuted in Crawford County.
Stevenson is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor, along with one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines. His case will be prosecuted in Venango County.
Agents are also in the process of executing search warrants on the homes of all three defendants, to locate and seize computers, webcams, digital cameras and other electronic devices that may have been used to transmit or store explicit photos or video. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Corbett said that all three cases will be handled by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye II, of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the numerous local police departments in Erie, Crawford and Venango counties who assisted with today’s arrests and searches.
Child Predator Unit
Corbett urged parents to regularly talk to their children about the dangers of Internet predators, and to stress that children should always tell a trusted adult if someone says something or does something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Corbett also recommended that parents discuss the potential hazards of social networking sites, like MySpace and Facebook, where young people often post detailed personal information and photos – materials that may be intended for the children’s friends or classmates, but items that are often available to strangers and predators.
“Parents and kids need to understand that predators are actively using the Internet to seek out and contact potential victims,” Corbett said. “Unsuspecting kids who wander into chat rooms or social networking sites can quickly find themselves inundated with obscene images and sexual proposals.”
Suspected internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General’s Office by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044, or filing an online complaint using the Attorney General’s Web site. (Click on the “Report an Internet Predator” link, located on the front page of the website)
Internet safety tips and other information for parents, children and teachers is available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just for Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s Web site. (Click on the “Kids, Parents & Schools” link at the top of the front page)