CLEARFIELD – A Kersey man will stand trial for his inappropriate online relationship with a teen.
Michael E. Hanes, 24, is charged with felony counts of unlawful contact with minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with person less than 16 years old, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and criminal use of communication facility.
He waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court sending the case on to the higher court. He remains in the county jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were contacted by the 814 Pred Hunters group regarding a suspect, Hanes, who had been chatting with one of their decoys. Hanes believed she was a 15-year old girl. They provided to authorities all the information on the chats, messages, photographs and other media sent between the two.
A meeting was set up with Hanes at Irvin Park in Curwensville on Jan. 1. The plan was that the two would then go to her grandmother’s house which is next to the park.
In their chat logs, Hanes made it apparent early in their discussions that “this is absolutely not happening, you are younger than two of my little sisters I do not date or have any relations with kids or teenagers.”
But, as the relationship evolved, Hanes called the decoy “downright hot” after seeing a picture and at one point sent her a naked photo.
The criminal complaint details how he discussed his sex preferences and various positions and how he would touch her. He made it clear in their conversations, that when they met, they would have sex.
When Hanes arrived at Irvin Park, the predator group notified Curwensville Police who responded and arrested Hanes who had both lubricant and condoms with him, according to the report.
