AG’s News Release Regarding Arrested State Trooper

The following is the press release issued by the PA Attorney General.
HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police, have arrested a Union County man accused of using a computer webcam to send a nude and sexually explicit video to who he believed was a 13-year old girl.

Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan identified the defendant as Douglas Nick Sversko, age 43, of 216 Lamplight Lane, Lewisburg.

Ryan said that Sversko, a Pennsylvania State Trooper, used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a teenage girl. After complimenting the agent about her profile photo and acknowledging her age, Sversko allegedly indicated that he was not wearing any clothing, stating, “naked is comfy,” and, “I am not afraid to tell you that I’m naked and attracted to you.”

According to the complaint, Sversko then sent the agent a link to his computer webcam and proceeded to transmit a lengthy video that showed him nude and dancing in front of his computer.  Sversko then asked the “girl” if she enjoyed the video and if she had been sexually aroused.

Ryan said that Sversko is accused of closing the online chat by cautioning the girl to keep their encounter secret, telling her, “Make sure you delete our conversation,” and, “we don’t really want mom to read about this.”

Sversko was taken into custody on February 16th by agents from the Attorney General’s Office, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police.  Ryan said agents also executed a search warrant at Sversko’s home, seizing three computers, a webcam and various data storage devices.  Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.

Sversko is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials and performances) and one count of criminal use of a computer, both third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Sversko was preliminarily arraigned on February 16th before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Joseph P. Solomon, who set bail at $100,000.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 23rd, at 9 a.m., before Magisterial District Judge Solomon.

Sversko will be prosecuted in Dauphin County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.

Ryan thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Internet Safety
Acting Attorney General Ryan cautioned parents to carefully monitor Internet activities involving their children, especially in situations where they might be approached by strangers.

“Internet predators often attempt to send sexually explicit photos or videos during their initial online encounters,” Ryan said. “Parents and other adults should encourage children to quickly report inappropriate contact, along with any other online communication that makes them feel uncomfortable or appears suspicious.”

Ryan noted that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has made 284 arrests since it was created in January 2005, involving individuals from all across Pennsylvania and as far away as Texas and Florida, all accused of using the Internet to sexually exploit children.

Ryan urged parents to monitor the following:

• Know what your children are doing online.
• Understand the websites they use and who they are communicating with.
• Review their pages on MySpace, Facebook or other online profiles.
• Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meetings with strangers.
• Do your own research – use Google or other Internet searches to see what your children or their friends may be posting online.

Reporting Internet Predators
Suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by using the “report a predator” online complaint form or by calling the Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044.

Internet safety tips and other information are available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just for Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s website.  Organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations can contact the Attorney General’s Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)