JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) — The case against a former school cafeteria worker accused of trying to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex at a Brookville gas station has proceeded to the Court of Common Pleas.
Court records indicate the following charges against 39-year-old John Thomas Oliver Jr., of Johnstown, were waived for court on Tuesday, January 13, before Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak:
- Criminal Attempt — Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- Criminal Attempt — Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse Person Less Than 16 Yrs 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 Attempt — Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, Felony 3
- Criminal Attempt — Dissemination of Explicit Sexual Material to a Minor, Felony 3
- Criminal Attempt — Indecent Assault Person Less Than 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2
The case has been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
Oliver remains lodged in the Jefferson County Jail after failing to post $80,000 monetary bail.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, the charges stem from an investigation that began on November 21, when the Brookville Police Department received information from a group known as “814 Pred Hunters,” a Clearfield County-based citizens group that conducts sting operations to expose adults attempting to contact minors for sexual purposes.
Police said the group informed officers they were in contact with a man known as “John” who had been communicating with a decoy profile on the dating app MeetMe since May 9.
The complaint alleges Oliver believed he was communicating with a 15-year-old girl.
Investigators said the conversation moved to text messages, where Oliver allegedly sent explicit photographs and graphic messages detailing sexual acts he wished to perform.
Police said Oliver arranged to meet the decoy on November 21 at a gas station in Brookville. The complaint indicates Oliver told the decoy he would be driving a dark silver Honda CRV and agreed to bring Monster Energy drinks for the minor.
Officers arrested Oliver at the scene around 11:30 a.m. after he arrived in the described vehicle.
Police said they found a smartphone and two green Monster Energy drinks in the car.
According to the affidavit, Oliver admitted during a police interview that he went to the location to meet a 15-year-old girl for sexual relations. The complaint notes that Oliver told police he knew 18 was the age of consent and that meeting a 15-year-old was wrong.
According to a media release from the Greater Johnstown School District, Oliver was a former cafeteria worker who has not worked within the district for nearly two years.
The district stated that Oliver was not a direct district employee but served through one of their contracted service providers, according to the release.
Magisterial District Judge Gregory Bazylak arraigned Oliver on November 21.
