Corbett Urges Families to Review Internet Safety During the Holidays
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Williamsport man accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year old girl, along with sending nude and sexually explicit webcam videos.
Corbett identified the defendant as Brian M. Horn, 37, 2437 Ritchey St., Williamsport.
Corbett said that Horn, using the screen name “happyocho,” allegedly used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.
According to the criminal complaint, Horn quickly turned the conversation toward sexual topics, asking if the girl had “any naked pix” and commenting, “I am just a perve.” Horn also allegedly stressed his desire to meet the girl for sex, telling her, “I could come meet you,” and “maybe I’ll even buy you a sex toy.”
“Predators regularly stalk chat rooms and social networking website, looking for kids who are vulnerable or lonely, gathering details about their lives and using that information to gain their trust,” Corbett said. “Parents should regularly review online security tips with their teens and stress the importance of reporting inappropriate or sexual solicitations.”
Corbett said that Horn allegedly engaged in a series of online chats, repeatedly discussing his desire to meet the girl for sex and explaining in graphic detail the acts he wished to perform – at one point commenting, “I’ll turn you into a lil slut” and “I’ll teach you all kinds of dirty stuff.” During other online conversations, Horn allegedly claimed to have engaged in sexual activity with other young girls.
According to the criminal complaint, Horn also used his computer to transmit nine webcam videos, all showing him naked and masturbating.
Horn was arrested on November 23rd by agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Troopers.
Corbett said agents also executed a search warrant at Horn’s home, seizing a computer, cell phone and various data storage devices. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.
Horn is charged with nine counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials) 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.
Horn was preliminarily arraigned before Montoursville Magisterial District Judge Kenneth T. Schriner Jr. and lodged in the Lycoming County Jail in lieu of $75,000 cash bail. Horn is also prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with minors and may not use the Internet or possess a computer. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 29th at 2 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Schriner.
Horn will be prosecuted in Lycoming County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked Pennsylvania State Police from the Montoursville Barracks for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Internet Safety
As the holiday season begins, Attorney General Corbett urged parents to spend additional time with their children reviewing the importance of Internet safety, especially if they are receiving new computers, game systems, cell phones or other electronic devices.
Corbett explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has made 280 arrests since it was created in January 2005, involving individuals from all across Pennsylvania and as far away as Massachusetts, Texas and Florida, all accused of using the Internet to sexually exploit children.
Corbett said that Internet predators operate in many different ways. Some spend lengthy periods of time building a relationship with a child before arranging to meet them for sex. Others may send nude photos or sexually explicit videos to children within the first few minutes of an initial online chat.
“Computer and cell phone technology make it fast and easy to send messages, photos and video, and many of the men arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with what they think are children,” Corbett said. “Parents should regularly review Internet safety with children because their use of the Internet changes depending on their age and the devices they have access to, along with the online activities of their friends.”
Corbett urged parents to monitor the following:
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Know what your 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 pages on MySpace, Facebook or other online profiles.
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Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meeting with strangers.
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Do your own research – use Google or other Internet searches to see what your children, or their friends, may be posting online.
Additionally, Corbett said that parents who are giving new game systems or other electronic devices as holiday gifts should review additional safety tips:
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Many systems and games allow kids to play with people around the world – friends and strangers alike – and to send and receive messages.
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Make sure children do not reveal personal information, like their names, ages or addresses.
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Monitor their communication with others.
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Check the game system instructions for details about privacy controls and parental restrictions that can be activated.
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Encourage children to report any inappropriate contact involving strangers, including sexually suggestive comments, attempts to arrange face-to-face meetings, threats or abusive behavior.
“The latest generation of electronic devices allows users to access the Internet or send and receive messages, pictures or videos,” Corbett said. “Predators know that children will be exploring these new features and are hoping to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.”
Reporting Internet Predators
Suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by using the “report a predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website 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, contact the Attorney General’s Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov