HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Dauphin County man accused of using Internet instant message programs to sexually proposition what he believed were 13 and 14-year old girls, as well as sending nude webcam videos to the girls. The “girls” were actually undercover agents who were using the online profiles of children.
Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Jason M. Krebs, 27, 9119 Joyce Lane, Hummelstown.
“Over the past five years our agents have arrested 251 online predators, living in every corner of Pennsylvania or traveling from as far away as Texas, Florida and Massachusetts,” Corbett said. “Every day, predators are searching the Internet for children who appear lonely, vulnerable or curious, and trying to use technology to sexually exploit those kids.”
Corbett urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety and security with their children, to carefully monitor their online activities and to encourage kids to always tell a trusted adult if a stranger tried to engage in sexual discussions or attempts to send them sexually explicit photos or videos.
Corbett said that Krebs allegedly used Internet instant message programs to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profiles of a 13-year old and 14-year old girl. During a series of online chats, Krebs allegedly asked the girls if they would meet him in-person and discussed in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to perform with them.
According to the criminal complaint, Krebs repeatedly quizzed the girls about their underwear, adding, “I wanna see those sexy panties.” and “I cant wait to see wats under yours.” Krebs also allegedly directed one of the girls to conduct an Internet search for the word “penis,” and sent her several photos of a nude male.
Additionally, Corbett said that Krebs allegedly used his computer webcam to send nude images of himself and continued to express his desire to meet the girl for sex.
Krebs was arrested at his home on Friday, February 12th, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Swatara Township Police Department.
Agents executed a search warrant at Krebs’ home, seizing computers and data storage devices. These items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Krebs is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor 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.
Krebs was preliminarily arraigned before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Smith and lodged in the Dauphin County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 22nd, at 2:30 p.m., before Magisterial District Judge Smith.
Krebs will be prosecuted in Dauphin County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the Swatara Township Police Department for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Internet Safety
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 apprehend Internet predators. Since its creation, the Child Predator Unit has arrested 250 men and one woman.
“The best defense for parents is to regularly discuss Internet safety with their children and actively monitor their online activities,” Corbett said.
Corbett encouraged parents to considering the following family Internet safety tips:
-
Know what children are doing online.
-
Understand the websites they use and who they are communicating with.
-
Review their MySpace and Facebook pages or other online profiles.
-
Make sure children do not give out personal information, like their names, ages or addresses.
-
Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meetings with strangers.
-
Encourage children to report any inappropriate contact involving strangers, including sexually suggestive comments or attempts to arrange face-to-face meetings.
Corbett noted that computer, cell phone and game system technology makes it fast and easy to send messages or images, adding that many of the suspects arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with children.
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 Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044.
Internet safety tips and other information are available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just for Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s website. Organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, can contact the Attorney General’s Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov
