HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Monroe County man accused of using internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year old girl, as well as sending numerous nude or pornographic photos.
Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Salvatore J. Cottone, 26, of 21 Cobblewood Drive, Mount Pocono.
Corbett said that Cottone allegedly used online chat rooms to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl. During his first chat, Cottone is accused of sending the “girl” four pornographic images.
“It is important for parents and children to understand that many predators send nude photos or sexually explicit videos – often within the first few minutes of an initial online chat,” Corbett said. “Computer and cell phone technology makes it fast and easy to send messages or images, and many of the individuals arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with what they believed were kids.”
Corbett said that Cottone allegedly continued to contact the agent online, sending nude photos and discussing pornography – at one point explaining, “porn is good 4 ya.”
According to the criminal complaint, Cottone expressed a desire to meet the girl for sex, telling her, “I so want you,” and, “I wish I was there nude with you.”
Corbett noted that some of the online chats, including electronic conversations earlier this month, occurred on school “snow days.” He urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety with their children, especially in situations where they may be home alone during the day.
“Internet predators will take advantage of any possible situation when they can approach children, including holidays, school vacations and even snow days – any time where kids may be unsupervised,” Corbett said. “Since 2005 our agents have arrested 252 suspects from as far away as Kentucky, Texas and Florida, who have used every imaginable situation to either send sexual materials to children or arrange face-to-face meetings.”
Corbett said Cottone was arrested on February 19th, by agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, who were assisted by officers from the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.
Agents also executed a search warrant at Cottone’s home, seizing five computers, along with digital cameras, cell phones and data storage devices. These items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Cottone is charged with six counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials and 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.
Cottone was preliminarily arraigned before Tobyhanna Magisterial District Judge Anthony Fluegel and lodged in the Monroe County prison in lieu of $75,000 bail. Cottone was also ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and is prohibited from using the Internet.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 26th, at 10 a.m., before Magisterial District Judge Fluegel.
Cottone will be prosecuted in Monroe County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Internet Safety
Since its creation in 2005, the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has arrested 252 people, all accused of sexually propositioning children online or sending pornographic or nude photos and videos.
Corbett explained that online predators work in many different ways. Some try to arrange meetings with kids, while others draw satisfaction from sending nude photos or sexually explicit videos to children.
“Predators use popular social networking sites and online chat rooms to search for young victims, looking for kids who are lonely, curious, trusting or otherwise vulnerable,” Corbett said.
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.
Corbett encouraged parents to considering the following family Internet safety tips:
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Know what children are doing online.
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Understand the websites they use and who they are communicating with.
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Review their MySpace and Facebook pages or other online profiles.
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Make sure children do not give out personal information, like their names, ages or addresses.
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Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meetings with strangers.
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Encourage children to report any inappropriate contact involving strangers, including sexually suggestive comments or attempts to arrange face-to-face meetings.
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Do your own research – use Internet searches to see what your children, or their friends, may be posting online.
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