JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) — A hearing for a Homer City man accused of trying to meet who he believed was a 15-year-old girl at a Brookville convenience store has been rescheduled.
According to court documents, a preliminary hearing for 27-year-old Todd David Yarnell Jr that was scheduled for February 17 and then rescheduled for March 4, will now resume on March 24, at 2:15 p.m., in front of Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak.
Yarnell faces the following charges:
- Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- IDSI Person Less Than 16 Yrs Age, Felony 1
- Aggravated Indecent Assault — Comp. Less Than 16, Felony 1
- 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
- Driver’s License Suspended/Revoked Pursuant to Section 3802/1547B1, Summary
He remains confined to Jefferson County Jail on $100,000.00 monetary bail.
Yarnell is being represented by Jefferson County Public Defender John Mark Ingros. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting the case.
Details of the case:
Brookville Borough Police say they were contacted by “814 Pred Hunters,” a Clearfield County-based citizens group that assists law enforcement by creating decoy accounts to identify potential sexual offenders.
According to the criminal complaint, Yarnell began communicating with a decoy account on January 31. Police say the decoy immediately identified “herself” as 15 years old, to which Yarnell allegedly replied, “Well we could be friends that’s it.”
Police say the conversations quickly became sexual in nature, with Yarnell sending explicit messages and an inappropriate photo. The exchange culminated in plans to meet at the
Sheetz in Brookville on February 6.
Officers arrested Yarnell after he arrived at the meeting location in a gray Ford pickup truck.
A preliminary arraignment was held at 3:15 p.m. on February 6 in front of Judge Bazylak.
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 victim.
