HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced the filing of multiple felony charges against a Mount Joy man accused of attempting to sexually exploit and abuse a child he believed to be under the age of 13.
According to the Office of Attorney General, 59-year-old Geoffrey Ottens of Lancaster County has been charged with numerous offenses, including unlawful contact with a minor (rape of a child), unlawful contact with a minor (involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child), and multiple felony counts related to the dissemination and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Investigators allege that Ottens engaged in explicit online communications with an individual he believed to be a pre-teen girl. The alleged victim was, in reality, an undercover agent from the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section working in coordination with the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities stated that Ottens continued his pursuit even after being told the “child” was only 11 years old.
A search warrant was executed last week at Ottens’ residence on Wood Street in Mount Joy, where law enforcement reportedly seized several electronic devices. A forensic examination allegedly revealed more than 100 files of child sexual abuse material.
Ottens was recently arraigned and denied bail. The presiding magisterial district judge cited the severity of the charges and deemed the defendant a flight risk.
Attorney General Sunday commended the investigative work of law enforcement agencies involved, stating that offenders who seek to exploit children online “will be found and held fully accountable.” Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf also praised the collaborative effort, noting that the operation reflects the ongoing work of the county’s Human Trafficking Task Force to remove child predators from the community.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Jacob Jividen of the Child Predator Section.
Criminal charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.