YOUNG TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A 31-year-old man is behind bars for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor girl for sex in Young Township.
Court documents show Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 31-year-old Ryan Scott Gabelli, of Blairsville, in District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on Monday, June 17.
According to a criminal complaint, Ryan Gabelli messaged a decoy on a dating site called MeetMe around 12:41 a.m. on May 27. The decoy is a female who works for 814 Pred Hunters in Clearfield.
On May 30, Gabelli exchanged text messages with the decoy, who told him she was 15 years old. Gabelli initially stated to the decoy he “was not trying to go to jail,” but the two continued to exchange messages, discussing hobbies, relationships, weekend plans, and more. The two even sent “legal photographs” of each other, the complaint states.
From May 30 to June 14, Gabelli texted and called the juvenile decoy and discussed “a lot of sexual content.” Gabelli made multiple references to sexual intercourse with the juvenile, the complaint indicates.
Gabelli made plans with the juvenile to pick her up on his motorcycle at a known business near State Route 436 and State Route 119, in Young Township, Jefferson County, on June 14. Gabelli was then going to drive the juvenile to her grandmother’s residence for the weekend, the complaint notes.
Around 9:45 p.m. on June 14, Trooper Michael Malloy, of PSP Punxsutawney, observed a motorcycle at the known business. Trooper Malloy pulled up to the motorcycle and recognized the driver as Gabelli from photographs he sent the decoy. Gabelli was taken into custody and transported to PSP Punxsutawney. During transport, Gabelli asked “if this was regarding the girl,” according to the complaint.
During a recorded interview with police, Gabelli admitted he should not have tried to meet with the girl. He said he planned to take her to her grandmother’s residence, but they were “only going to watch a movie,” the complaint continues.
Gabelli was arraigned at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, on the following charges in front of District Judge Gregory Bazylak:
- Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- IDSI Person Less Than 16 Yrs Age, Felony 1
- Aggravated Indecent Assault — Complainant Less Than 16, Felony 2
- Corruption of Minors — Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
- Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Felony 3
- Indecent Assault Person Less 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2
- Corruption of Minors, Misdemeanor 1
Unable to post $100,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, at 8:45 a.m. with Judge Mizerock presiding.
EDITOR’S NOTE 1: Extreme graphic details were not included due to the sexual nature of the alleged crimes.
EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Several details were removed from this article to help protect the identity of the alleged victims.