Pocono Mountain Regional police say they arrested a 33-year-old man following an internet sting conducted by the citizen group Predator Poachers.
John Thomas Keen, of the 100 block of Ryan Road in Blakeslee, Monroe County, faces felony charges after investigators say they reviewed sexually related text messages he exchanged with a purported 13-year-old girl.
Keen tried to meet up with the girl for sex last Wednesday night but was confronted by a decoy who called police, according to court records outlining probable cause to arrest him.
“Within those communications, it is clear that she told him she was 13,” police wrote, adding that he sent a photo of his genitalia via text. “It is clear that they discussed the plan to have sex and that is the reason for the meeting tonight.”
Keen, who showed up to the meeting with condoms, admitted he believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl and that the sexual communication had begun a few weeks prior, according to police.
“Keen stated that he knew it was wrong and that he had made a bad mistake,” police wrote in court papers.
Keen was arraigned Thursday morning on felony charges of criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit sexual assault and criminal use of a communication facility, according to police.
He remained Monday in the Monroe County prison in lieu of $25,000 bail, court records show. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 28, where prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to warrant a trial.
Court records did not immediately list an attorney for Keen.
