by Jen Russell
JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) — The case against an Armstrong County man who allegedly traveled to Brookville to meet a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl for sex has moved forward to the common pleas court.
According to court records, the following charges against 41-year-old Michael Richard Pack Jr., of Leechburg, were waived for court during a preliminary hearing on Monday, November 17, in front of Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak:
- Criminal Attempt — Statutory Sexual Assault, 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 Attempt — Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3
- Criminal Attempt — Indecent Assault Person Less 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2
During that same hearing, the following charges against Pack were withdrawn:
- Criminal Attempt — Disseminating Explicit Sex Material to a Minor, Felony 3 (two counts)
The case has been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
Pack’s bail, which had been set at $80,000, was reduced to $50,000 at the defendant’s request and with the Commonwealth’s consent, according to the court docket. However, as of Tuesday, November 18th, Pack remains lodged in Jefferson County Jail, unable to post bail.
Details of the case:
The Brookville Borough Police Department was contacted on October 30 by a group called “814 Pred Hunters,” according to a police news release. The group, which creates fake underage profiles on social media to identify individuals attempting to solicit minors, informed police about a man who had allegedly made plans to meet one of their decoys.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Brookville Borough Police, Pack allegedly started talking to the decoy on a dating app before moving the conversation to text messages.
The complaint said the messages, which allegedly occurred over a five-month period, showed the decoy telling Pack she was underage and him acknowledging her age multiple times. In one message, Pack allegedly said, “I’m ok with your age. I could really care less about that. Souls can connect no matter the age…. I just keep telling you how much I want you and you keep ignoring it.”
Pack also allegedly sent sexual messages and a picture of his genitals to the decoy, according to the complaint.
Court records show Pack was arraigned on October 30 by Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak.
