Lycoming Co. Man Charged with Soliciting Sex from 13 Yr. Old

AG’s News Release

HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Lycoming County man accused of using Internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year old girl, along with sending explicit webcam videos of himself to the “girl.”

Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan identified the defendant as George William McKay, age 61, of 723 High Street, Williamsport.

Ryan said that McKay is accused of using an Internet chat room to approach and sexually proposition an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a young teen.  During their first online communication, McKay allegedly told the “girl” that he was becoming aroused during their online chat and then used his computer webcam to transmit images of his exposed genitalia.

According to the criminal complaint, McKay approached the undercover agent a second time, several days later – asking her, “do you want me to lower my cam,” and, “do you like my thingy,” before using his webcam to transmit nude images to the girl. McKay also allegedly expressed a desire to meet the girl for sex and described in graphic detail the acts he wished to perform.

McKay was arrested on Tuesday, March 8th, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Williamsport Bureau of Police.

Agents also executed a search warrant at McKay’s home, with the assistance of Williamsport police, seizing a computer and webcam.  Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.

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

McKay was preliminarily arraigned before Williamsport Magisterial District Judge Allen P. Page III, who set bail at $50,000.  McKay is also prohibited from using the Internet and may not have any unsupervised contact with minors.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18th, at 9:30 a.m., before Magisterial District Judge Page.

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

Ryan thanked the Williamsport Bureau of Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Internet Safety
Acting Attorney General Ryan explained that the Child Predator Unit has made 286 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 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 suggested that parents 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.

Reporting Internet Predators
Suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by using the “report a predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website, atwww.attorneygeneral.gov, 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.)