BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — A New York man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly attempting to arrange sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl he met online.
Michael Harold Ellis, 45, of Bath, N.Y., was arrested Sept. 16, 2025, in Brookville, Pennsylvania, following an investigation initiated by a civilian group, according to a criminal complaint filed by Brookville Borough Police.
Ellis is charged with:
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- Criminal Attempt – Statutory Sexual Assault, Felony 1 (2 counts)
- Criminal Attempt – Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Felony 1
- Criminal Attempt – Aggravated Indecent Assault, Felony 2
- Criminal Attempt – Indecent Assault, Misdemeanor 2
- Criminal Attempt – Corruption of Minors, Felony 3
- Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Felony 3
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Officer Mickey Stormer, the investigation began Sept. 15, 2025, when Brookville Police Chief Vince Markle was contacted by Brian Knepp, organizer of “814 Pred Hunters,” a group that establishes fake identities on social media to identify individuals attempting to engage with minors.
Knepp informed Chief Markle that his group had been in contact with a man identified as “Crazymike” on text messages and dating apps. This individual, later identified as Michael Ellis, shared a Snapchat username containing “Mike Ellis” and had been communicating with a member of “814 Pred Hunters” posing as a 15-year-old female after meeting on the “MeetMe” dating app.
Officer Stormer reviewed messages between Ellis and the decoy, which revealed Ellis was informed early on that she was 15 years old. Despite this, Ellis allegedly continued the conversation, expressing a desire to “take a virginity” and stating, “Oh I want too but shhhh lol.” He also requested pictures, and after receiving them (described as an adult female in clothing), allegedly responded with sexually explicit comments.
The complaint details numerous conversations where Ellis allegedly proposed sexual acts, expressed a fantasy of getting her pregnant, and suggested she stop taking birth control. He also allegedly discussed concealing a pregnancy and bringing the girl to New York to prevent law enforcement from discovering the child. Ellis also inquired about a “threesome” with the girl’s 15-year-old friend, without concern for her age.
Ellis allegedly attempted to arrange a meeting in Brookville, and sent a screenshot of an Uber fare to demonstrate his willingness to travel from his New York address. On Sept. 15, 2025, Ellis and the decoy reportedly engaged in 21 phone calls planning a meeting.
On Sept. 16, 2025, members of “814 Pred Hunters” notified Chief Markle that Ellis was at the planned meeting location along Allegheny Blvd. in Brookville. Chief Markle and Officer Stormer responded and took Ellis into custody. During an interview at the Brookville Police Department, Ellis allegedly admitted to knowing he was communicating with someone he believed to be 15 years old for sexual purposes. He also reportedly stated he wanted to impregnate the child because he “likes kids” and intended to conceal the pregnancy in New York to hide evidence from law enforcement.
Ellis was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak on Sept. 16, 2025, and bail was set at $50,000 monetary. He is currently confined at Jefferson County Prison, unable to post bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. before Judge Bazylak.
