HARRISBURG — Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a high school chemistry teacher from Ohio accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year old girl, along with sending sexually explicit webcam videos to the girl.
Corbett identified the defendant as Robert Mark Fickenscher, 57, Painesville, OH.
Corbett said that Fickenscher allegedly used Internet chat rooms and instant message programs to approach and sexually proposition an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a 13-year old child. Fickenscher is also accused of sending numerous sexually explicit webcam videos to the girl.
“Online conversations with Internet predators can quickly escalate to include sexually graphic discussions or the transmission of sexually explicit materials, often during the first chat,” Corbett said. “It is essential for parents 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 charges, Fickenscher repeatedly expressed a desire to meet the girl for sex and described in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to perform. He is also accused of sending five webcam videos that showed him nude or semi-nude, including several in which Fickenscher was engaging in sexual activity in front of his computer along with others showing him wearing women’s undergarments and performing a striptease for the child.
Additionally, Corbett said that Fickenscher allegedly encouraged the girl to obtain a digital camera so that she could send him “revealing” photos of herself.
According to the criminal complaint, Fickenscher initially identified himself as a 35-year Erie man who enjoyed racing cars. He allegedly attempted to entice the girl into meeting him at a motel near her home with the promise of providing wine coolers if she engaged in sexual activities with him.
Fickenscher was taken into custody in Painesville, Ohio on Nov. 3, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, who were assisted by the Lake County Ohio Sheriff’s Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Fickenscher is currently being held in the Lake County Ohio Jail and has waived extradition from Ohio. He will be transported to Pennsylvania on Friday, Nov, 6, to face charges in Allegheny County and will be preliminary arraigned in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.
Fickenscher is charged with five counts of criminal attempted unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexually explicit material), along with 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.
Fickenscher 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 Lake County Ohio Sheriff’s Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Internet Safety
“Since 2005 our Child Predator unit has arrested 244 men from across Pennsylvania, and as far away as Kentucky or Texas, all believing that a vulnerable child was waiting for them,” Corbett said. “It is important for parents to understand that Internet predators will take advantage of any possible situation where they believe a vulnerable child is alone or unsupervised.”
Corbett noted that agents have made 63 arrests so far this year – a nearly 20 percent increase compared to 2008.
“Internet predators are active everywhere – using online chat rooms, social networking sites, instant messages, digital cameras, webcams and other technology to reach children in neighboring towns or different states – sending sexually graphic material to your kids, encouraging teens to send nude photos of themselves or trying to arrange meetings for sex,” Corbett said.
Corbett encouraged parents to regularly discuss online safety with their children and to closely 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 Web site 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 Web site. 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.