BLAKESLEE, MONROE CO., (WOLF) — A Blakeslee man is accused of attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl before being arrested following an online sting operation in Monroe County.
According to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department, officers responded around 9:13 p.m. Wednesday to Ryans Road in Blakeslee after members of the private group Predator Poachers confronted John Keen, 33, of Blakeslee, during what police described as an internet sting.
Police said the group had been communicating online with Keen while posing as a 13-year-old girl. During those conversations, investigators allege Keen sent sexually explicit communications and discussed meeting to engage in sexual activity with the person he believed was 13 years old.
According to police, Keen arrived at the predetermined meeting location, where he was confronted by members of the group, who then called 911. Pocono Mountain Regional Police said they conducted an independent investigation using the evidence provided before taking Keen into custody.
Keen is charged with:
- Criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault (felony)
- Unlawful contact with a minor (felony)
- Criminal attempt to commit sexual assault (felony)
- Criminal use of a communication facility (felony)
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Kresge, who set bail at $25,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28.
