Sunday, December 16, 2007

Child Predator Unit

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator
Unit have arrested a moving company executive from Virginia accused of using
hidden Internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what he believed was a
13-year old girl, as well as sending sexually explicit and pornographic webcam
videos to the girl. The "girl" was actually an undercover agent from the Child
Predator Unit, who was using the online profile of a child.

Corbett identified the defendant as Glenn P. Stephens, 52, 129 Harrison St.,
NE, Leesburg, Virginia. Stephens is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive
Vice-President of Capital Relocation Services, a Virginia-based transportation
and storage company.

Corbett explained that the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit was created
in January 2005 to conduct proactive undercover investigations in order to
identify and capture Internet predators before they can harm children. To
date, the unit has arrested 111 Internet predators from Pennsylvania and
several other states.

According to the criminal complaint, Stephens, using the name "Gene Grant,"
initially approached an undercover agent in July 2007 using a hidden Internet
chat room which has been used by predators arrested in previous investigations
by the Child Predator Unit.

Corbett said that Stephens allegedly began questioning the girl about her
sexual experience within moments of their initial contact, and quickly offered
to "teach" her about sex, asking her, "wouldn't ya like to be first time with
an older patient man who can teach ya everything?" This discussion occurred
after the undercover agent had clearly indicated that she was a 13-year old
girl from the Pittsburgh area.

According to the criminal charges, Stephens frequently expressed a desire to
instruct the girl about sex, telling her, "I would teach you everything about
sex... all the positions... how to give real pleasure to a man and how to get
pleasure and really enjoy sex."

Corbett said that Stephens told the child that he lived in Virginia, about
three hours away from Pittsburgh, but allegedly emphasized his desire to meet
her, commenting, "I would fly across the country to be with you, so you are
really close as far as I'm concerned."

According to the criminal complaint, Stephens engaged in a series of online
and email exchanges with the child between July and October 2007, graphically
describing the sex acts he wished to engage in. He also allegedly asked the
girl if she had ever used marijuana, adding, "maybe sometime we will, after
you learn about sex."

Corbett said that Stephens allegedly sent the girl a series of Internet links
to sexually graphic online videos, and directed her to view them. Afterward,
he allegedly told her, "it is something you can really learn to do real
good... I'd love to teach you."

According to the criminal complaint, Stephens continued to express a desire to
meet the girl in Pittsburgh, but explained that scheduling a meeting would be
difficult because he was traveling extensively on business.

Corbett said that Stephens allegedly continued to contact the child while in
California and Illinois, at one point sending her a live webcam video of
himself masturbating - supposedly from his hotel suite in Chicago.

Corbett said that agents from the Child Predator Unit worked closely with the
Virginia State Police and Loudoun County Virginia Sheriff's Office to monitor
Stephens' home and office, and verify when he had returned from his most
recent business trip.

Stephens was arrested at his office in Leesburg, Virginia, on Monday, Dec. 3,
2007, by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, based on information provided by
the Child Predator Unit. Stephens waived extradition in Virginia and was
transported to Pennsylvania on Wednesday, December 5th, where he was lodged in
the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing
is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.

Corbett said that a search warrant was executed a Stephens' home by the
Loudoun County Sheriff's office, resulting in the seizure of two laptop
computers, a desktop computer, a webcam, data storage devices and several
photos which were allegedly sent to the "child" during the course of the
undercover investigation. In addition, a laptop computer was recovered from
Stephens' employer. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General's
Computer Forensics Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.

Corbett said that Stephens is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with
a minor (obscene or sexual materials of performances), two counts of attempted
obscene or sexual performances and two counts of criminal use of a computer.
All of those charges are third-degree felonies, which are each punishable by
up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Stephens will be prosecuted in Allegheny County by Deputy Attorney General
William F. Caye II of the Attorney General's Child Predator unit.

Corbett thanked the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Criminal Investigative
Division (Leesburg) and the Virginia State Police for their cooperation and
extensive assistance with this investigation.

Child Predator Unit

The Attorney General's Child Predator Unit was created in January 2005 to
conduct proactive undercover investigations to identify and capture Internet
predators before they can harm children.

Corbett explained that many Internet predators launch into sexually explicit
conversations during their first online conversations, adding that it has
become increasingly common for predators to send nude photos or webcam videos
within minutes of contacting what they believe are teenage girls or boys.

"Internet predators are stalking online chat rooms and social networking sites
every day, looking for children who are trusting, naive or vulnerable enough
to respond to contact from strangers," Corbett said. "It is essential that
parents discuss online hazards with their children, and contact authorities in
situations where their children are sexually propositioned or receive sexually
graphic photos or videos from adults who approach them online."

Corbett encouraged parents to discuss Internet safety with their children,
including the danger of meeting strangers who approach them online.
Additionally, he urged parents to report predators who attempt to sexually
solicit children or send graphic photos and videos.

Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by calling
1-800-385-1044, or online at www.attorneygeneral.gov. Detailed information
about Internet safety is also available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "just
4 Kids" sections of the Attorney General's website.

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