CLEARFIELD — A York County man was taken into custody on Saturday by Curwensville Borough Police on charges related to an 814PredHunter case.
Michael Alan Beard, 38, of Hanover, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Meholick on the following charges: involuntary deviate sexual intercourse person less than 16 years of age, first degree felony, one count; aggravated indecent assault – complainant less than 16, second degree felony, one count; unlawful contact with a minor – obscene and other sexual materials and performances, third degree felony, one count; corruption of minors – defendant age 18 or above, third degree felony, one count; criminal use of communication facility, third degree felony, one count.
Meholick set bail at $100,000 unsecured.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, chat logs between Beard and an 814PredHunter decoy posing as a 15-year-old female from May 7 through Aug. 26 were provided to Curwensville Borough Police.
In the conversations, Beard sent obscene messages and images to the decoy and requested inappropriate photos from the decoy.
Beard agreed to meet the decoy at Irvin Park in Curwensville on Aug. 29, at which time he was met by members of the Curwensville Borough Police Department.
A loaded handgun was located in the vehicle, that corresponded with conversations between the decoy and Beard.
The gun was secured and following a check, the weapon came back with no record.
Beard agreed to speak with officers and stated that he knew that he had messed up and stated the wrong things to the decoy.
After several questions, Beard requested a lawyer saying that he felt that was best before he incriminated himself any further.
Beard is scheduled to appear for a first appearance at Centralized Court on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
