BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – A State College man was arrested after police allege he arranged to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl for sexual purposes following a series of explicit online conversations.
According to court documents, the Brookville Borough Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 45-year-old Ryan David Starck, of State College, on September 8, 2025, in Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak’s office:
- Criminal Attempt – Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- Criminal Attempt – Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse Person Less Than 16 Years of Age, Felony 1
- Criminal Attempt – Aggravated Indecent Assault, Complainant 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 Than 16 Years of Age, Misdemeanor 2
According to the criminal complaint, police say the investigation began after Chief Vince Markle was contacted by members of “814 Pred Hunters,” a citizen group that creates decoy social media accounts posing as minors. The group reportedly told police that Starck had been communicating with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl and had sent sexually explicit messages.
The criminal complaint states that Starck discussed sexual acts with the individual, sent a video with sexually explicit content, and arranged a meeting in Brookville on September 8.
Starck was located in a Mazda SUV at the meeting site and was detained by Brookville Borough Police.
According to the complaint, Starck admitted in an interview that he knew he was communicating with someone he believed to be underage for sexual purposes. Police reported that he brought food, candy, and flowers with him to the meeting location.
He was arraigned at 2:33 p.m. on September 8 in front of Judge Bazylak.
Unable to post $50,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025, before Judge Bazylak.
EDITOR’S NOTE 1: Extreme graphic details were not included due to the sexual nature of the crimes.
