HARRISBURG — Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested four men this week, including a University of Pittsburgh law student, a children’s restaurant worker in Butler County and two brothers from Lancaster County.
Corbett identified the defendants as Joseph C. Maier, 25 of Pittsburgh (formerly of Rochester, NY); Douglas Michael Hall, 25 of Butler; and George F. Bordner, 29, and Nathan T. Bordner, 27, both of Terre Hill.
Corbett explained that Maier, Hall and George Bordner all allegedly used Internet chat rooms to contact and sexually proposition what they believed were young girls. The girls were actually undercover agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, using the online profiles of children. Nathan Bordner was charged with interfering with the search and seizure of computers at his family’s Lancaster County home.
“Internet predators are actively using chat rooms and other Internet sites to search for young girls and boys, trying to steal the innocence of these children,” Corbett said. “The Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit was specifically created to identify and capture these predators before they can harm kids, and we are dedicated to carrying out that mission — to date, the unit has arrested 93 predators from Pennsylvania and several other states.”
Joseph C. Maier
Corbett said that Maier allegedly used an Internet chat room to contact an undercover agent on Sept. 5, 2007. At that time, the agent was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.
According to the criminal complaint, Maier identified himself as “Joe,” a 25-year old law student at the University of Pittsburgh, living in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh. During that first chat, Maier requested a photo of the girl and sent her a webcam image of his face.
On September 10th, Maier allegedly contacted the girl a second time, and was repeatedly reminded that she was 13-years old.
Corbett said that during a third online chat, on September 12th, Maier complimented the girl on her appearance and proposed a meeting – commenting that they could meet when his roommate was away, “and then nobody would know.” Maier proceeded to describe in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to perform, commenting, “we could get naked,” and, “you can learn with me, if you like.”
According to the criminal charges, Maier used his webcam to expose himself to the girl on three occasions during their chats. He also allegedly provided details about a possible meeting location along with a description of his vehicle.
Maier was arrested by agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit and White Oak Police on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, when he arrived at a predetermined meeting location in White Oak, Allegheny County.
Agents also executed a search of Maier’s apartment, seizing a laptop computer, webcam, digital camera and electronic storage devices. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of a continuing investigation.
Maier is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to sexual offenses), first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Additionally, Maier is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual performances) and three counts of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Maier was preliminarily arraigned on September 18th before White Oak Magisterial District Judge Thomas G. Miller and lodged in the Allegheny County Prison in lieu of $75,000 cash bail. He was ordered to undergo a behavioral analysis, prohibited from using the Internet except for work or school, and ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2007, at 1:00 p.m., before Magisterial District Judge Miller.
Maier will be prosecuted in Allegheny County by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the White Oak Police Department, Allegheny County Police and University of Pittsburgh Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Maier is the 91st arrest by the Child Predator Unit.
Douglas Michael Hall
Corbett said that Hall used an Internet chat room to contact an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit on September 19, 2007. At that time, the agent was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl. During Hall’s initial chat, he told the girl that he worked at a Chuck E. Cheese children’s restaurant located near a shopping mall in Butler County, and encouraged the girl to meet him at the mall.
According to the criminal charges, Hall suggested that they could “chill” at the mall first, and then return to his home to “kiss” and “cuddle,” asking her, “how far would you be willing to go?”
Corbett said that Hall allegedly told the undercover agent that he had engaged in sex with other girls, and offered to “teach” her about sex — describing in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to engage in. Hall allegedly proposed that they meet at the mall the following morning, telling the girl that they could return to his home after 11 a.m. because his mother would be gone and they could be alone.
According to the criminal charges, Hall initiated a second chat with the girl later that evening, providing detailed directions to a meeting place close to his home. He allegedly urged the girl to skip school the following day and meet him, indicating his desire to take her virginity.
Hall was arrested on Thursday, September 20th, when he arrived at a pre-determined meeting place in Butler County. Agents also executed a search of Hall’s home, seizing two computers, a web-cam and an assault rifle with directions to convert the weapon to full automatic firing.
Hall is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, both first-degree felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Hall is also charged with one count of criminal use of a computer, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Hall was preliminarily arraigned on September 20th, before Magisterial District Judge Louis Stoughton and lodged in the Butler County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. He was also ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and prohibited from using the Internet. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 25th, at 1:30 p.m., before Magisterial District Judge Stoughton.
Hall will be prosecuted in Butler County by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop D for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Hall is the 92nd arrest by the Child Predator Unit.
George F. Bordner
Corbett said that between March and August 2007, Bordner allegedly approached and sexually propositioned three different undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit. All three of the agents were using the online profiles of 13-year old or 14-year old girls.
According to the criminal complaint, Bordner initially approached a Pittsburgh-based undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit on March 21, 2007, and almost immediately began a sexually graphic discussion – asking, “do you have boobs yet,” and, “how far have you gone with a guy?”
Corbett said that Bordner allegedly used a photo-sharing program to send the girl a naked photo, commenting, “If you were here right now, we could have sex.”
According to the criminal charges, Bordner approached a Harrisburg-based undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit on May 3rd, claiming to be a 20-year old from the Lancaster area.
Bordner allegedly sent the girl a nude photo during their first chat, and described in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to perform with the girl.
Corbett noted that during July and August, Bordner contacted a third undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit. As in the previous two encounters, Bordner allegedly sent the girl a nude photo and engaged in a lengthy chat about the sex acts he wished to engage in, adding, “I have done everything you can with a girl.”
Bordner was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by East Earl Township Police. Agents also executed a search of Bordner’s home, seizing four computers, and cell phone and electronic storage devices. Those items will be analyzed by the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit as part of a continuing investigation.
Bordner is charged with four counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Bordner was preliminarily arraigned on Thursday, Sept. 20, before New Holland Magisterial District Judge Rodney H. Hartman, and lodged in the Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $200,000 bail.
Bordner is the 93rd arrest by the Child Predator Unit.
Nathan T. Bordner
Corbett said that Nathan Bordner was arrested as agents and local police attempted to execute a search of Bordner’s Lancaster County home for evidence related to a Child Predator Unit investigation involving his older brother, George Bordner.
According to the criminal complaint, Nathan Bordner attempted to prevent agents from gaining access to computers in the Bordner home by barricading himself in an upstairs bedroom. Additionally, Bordner resisted efforts to take him into custody after agents were able to gain access to the bedroom.
Nathan Bordner is charged with one count of obstruction of the administration of law and one count of resisting arrest, both second-degree misdemeanors each punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Bordner was arraigned on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, before New Holland Magisterial District Judge Rodney H. Hartman, and lodged in the Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.
George and Nathan Bordner will both be prosecuted in Lancaster County by Deputy Attorney General Michael Sprow, of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the East Earl Township Police Department for their cooperation and assistance with investigation and arrest of George and Nathan Bordner.
Child Predator Unit
Corbett explained that the Child Predator Unit was created to identify and arrest Internet predators, as well as educating parents and children about the dangers of the Internet. Since January 2005, the unit has arrested 93 Internet predators.
“The Internet is a wonderful tool for information and communication, but it has also become a popular stalking ground for predators searching for young victims – either sexually propositioning children or sending explicit photos or videos,” Corbett said. “It is essential that parents talk to their children about online hazards, and report any predator who sexually solicits children or who sends them sexually graphic material.”
Internet predators can be reported to the Child Predator Unit by calling 1-800-385-1044, or online at the Attorney General’s Web site.
Corbett also encouraged parents, teachers and other concerned adults to review information about Internet safety in the “Operation Safe Surf” section of the Attorney General’s website.
Additional internet safety information, created for children, is included in the “Just 4 Kids” sections of the website.