UNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) — Police say a Missouri man was caught attempting to solicit who he thought was a 15-year-old girl for sex in Punxsutawney Borough.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 56-year-old David Wayne Patterson, of Carterville, Missouri, in District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on Thursday, April 25.
According to a criminal complaint, the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department was contacted on Wednesday, April 24, by a member of 814 Pred Hunters, which is an organization primarily based in Clearfield County that targets online predators attempting to solicit or engage in sexual activity with minor children.
It was reported that 814 Pred Hunters has been in contact with a man—identified as David Patterson—who has been communicating sexually explicit messages with who he believes to be a 15-year-old juvenile female, the complaint states.
Patterson reportedly wanted to meet with the child to have sexual relations with her including, but not limited to, intercourse and oral sex, the complaint indicates.
Police were provided the messages sent between the 15-year-old decoy and Patterson, which began on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Patterson sent a message to the 15-year-old female decoy on a social media site called “MeetMe.” After saying “Hello,” Patterson asked the 15-year-old decoy if they can go to another site to chat. They agreed on text messaging and Patterson gave his number with a message of “I would really like to get to know you better,” according to the complaint.
The decoy then messaged Patterson, “Don’t be mad at me, but I lied about my age. I can’t get on there if I don’t say I am 18.” Patterson asked her how old she was, she replied, “I am 15, if u don’t want to talk to me. I get it.” Patterson replied, “No that’s fine. We can talk, but I will be very careful about what we talked about or how I respond to your questions,” according to the complaint.
The two talked about where they are from and the conversation eventually turned to talking about drinking alcohol, with Patterson asking the “craziest thing” she’s done while drunk. The decoy told him to guess and Patterson stated, “The one thing that comes to mind is sex of some kind.” Patterson is then asked the same question by the decoy, and he said, “I ended up playing around with somebody that I should not have that was quite younger,” the complaint states.
Patterson later messages the decoy about meeting up in the near future. They plan on meeting in Punxsutawney on Thursday, April 25, as Patterson continues to ask sexual questions. Patterson asked the juvenile, “Is there any place you don’t like to be touched,” and that he wanted “to do as much as (he) can” with the decoy, the complaint continues.
On Monday, April 22, conversations continue with Patterson asking the decoy specific ways to have sexual intercourse. Patterson started talking about food and how he has been cooking since he was 9 years old. Then Patterson asks the decoy how old her grandmother was. She told him 61, and he replied that it was in his age group and mentioned making them both dinner sometime, according to the complaint.
The conversation continued with more talk about having “sex with other people at the same time,” the complaint indicates.
On Wednesday, April 24, they continued to talk about meeting on Thursday in Punxsutawney. The meeting place was at a Laundromat next to Sheetz at 8:00 a.m., the complaint notes.
On Thursday, April 25, Patterson arrived at the Sheetz parking lot at approximately 7:48 a.m. in a Green 2013 Chevy Spark with Missouri registration. The vehicle registration came back to David Wayne Patterson of Carterville, Missouri.
Officers pulled into the Sheetz parking lot, got behind the vehicle, and activated emergency red and blue lights. Officer Jeffrey Winfield went up to the vehicle and identified Patterson, who was then placed into custody, the complaint states.
While taking Patterson out of his car, Lt. Wittenburg noticed a pistol under the front driver’s seat. It was fully loaded with one in the chamber. Patterson did not have a license in any state to carry a concealed weapon, according to the complaint.
Patterson was arraigned at 9:57 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, on the following charges in front of Judge Mizerock:
– Criminal Attempt – Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
– Criminal Attempt – IDSI Person Less Than 16 Yrs Age, Felony 1
– Criminal Attempt – Aggravated Indecent Assault – Comp. Less Than 16, Felony 2
– Criminal Attempt – Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
– Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3
– Criminal Attempt – Indecent Assault Person Less 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2
– Firearms Not To Be Carried W/O License, Felony 3
Unable to post $200,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, at 9:45 a.m. with Judge Mizerock presiding.