September 12, 2008

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of two Internet predators in Punxsutawney; 162 total arrests by Child Predator Unit

Michael McCarthy

Robert Brewer

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the arrest of two Jefferson County men who are both accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what they believed were 12-year old girls, along with the transmission or possession of illegal child  pornography.  The "girls" were actually undercover agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.

Corbett identified the defendants as Michael Albert McCarthy, 64, 213 South Jefferson St., Punxsutawney, and Robert Duane Brewer, 28, 708 Mill Iron Road, Punxsutawney.

According to the criminal complaint, McCarthy and Brewer are both charged with using a computer located in McCarthy's home to sexually proposition what they believe was a 12-year old girl. Using an Internet chat room that was created to discuss video games, the defendants are accused of sending the girl two photos of what appeared to be naked boys.

Corbett said that later online conversations with the girl allegedly included the transmission of an explicit video depicting an adult male having sex with a young girl as well as a video of a woman masturbating.  The chats allegedly included messages such as "I love you," and "can we have sex in your bedroom?"

Corbett said a detailed investigation by the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit determined that Brewer allegedly visited McCarthy's home frequently and used McCarthy's computer to access the Internet and communicate with other individuals - allegedly sending pornography photos and videos to individuals he chatted with.  McCarthy is accused of using his computer to exchange and view illegal child pornography.

Agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit executed a search warrant at McCarthy's home on February 20, 2008, with the assistance of the Punxsutawney Police Department, seizing his computer.  A review of that computer by the Attorney General's Computer Forensics Unit identified 116 images of suspected child pornography, including photos and videos allegedly depicting children under the age of 18 engaging in sexual activity.

Corbett said that McCarthy and Brewer were both arrested in Punxsutawney on Thursday, September 11th, by agents from the Child Predator Unit. 

Brewer is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, two counts of attempted dissemination of obscene or sexual materials, two counts of sexual abuse of children (child pornography) and six counts 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.

McCarthy is charged with 116 counts of sexual abuse of children (child pornography), two counts of unlawful contact with a minor and two counts 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.

Both defendants were preliminarily arraigned before Punxsutawney Magisterial District Judge Douglas Chambers. Brewer was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail while McCarthy was jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.  Both men are prohibited from using the Internet and were ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for September 18th.

Corbett said that both defendants will be prosecuted in Jefferson County by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye II of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit.

Internet Dangers
Corbett cautioned parents and children to be alert for adults who sexually proposition them, send them explicit photos or webcam videos or attempt to arrange meetings.  Since the creation of the Child Predator Unit in January 2005, Corbett said that agents have arrested 162 Internet predators from Pennsylvania and several other states, including 48 arrests since the beginning of this year.

Corbett encouraged parents to discuss Internet safety with their children, including the danger of meeting strangers who approach them online. He also advised that parents ask their children to show them what they are doing online, setting ground rules for online communication to help use the Internet in a safe and responsible manner.

Suspected internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General's Office by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044, or filing an online complaint using the Attorney General's website: www.attorneygeneral.gov  (Click on the "Report an Internet Predator" link, located on the front page of the website)

Internet safety tips and other information for parents, children and teachers 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, 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.)

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