Jason R. Beers
Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Wayne County man accused of using the Internet to send nude and sexually explicit webcam videos to what he believed were several 13- and 14-year old girls.
Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Jason Robert Beers, 23, of 2555 Crosstown Highway, Starlight, Wayne County.
Corbett said that Beers, using the screen name slimshady5887, allegedly used Internet chat rooms and instant message programs to contact three different undercover agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, who were all using the online profiles of young teens.
“Many Internet predators will initiate sexual conversations or send nude photos or videos during their first online chats with children, and a large number will quickly suggest face-to-face meetings for sex,” Corbett said. “Families should take added steps to guard against online predators, especially during the summer months when more young teens are home alone or unsupervised for greater lengths of time – urging children to always tell a trusted adult if an online stranger says or does something inappropriate or sexual in nature.”
According to the criminal complaint, Beers sent a nude webcam video during his first online conversation with an agent from western Pennsylvania, who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl from the Pittsburgh area.
Corbett said that on that same day, Beers allegedly contacted a different undercover agent, from Central Pennsylvania, asking her, “want to watch me play with it on cam?” Beers is then accused of sending a webcam video that showed him nude and masturbating in front of his computer.
According to the criminal complaint, Beers then communicated with a third undercover agent, who was using the online profile of a 14-year old girl, sending additional nude webcam videos to that “girl.”
Corbett said that Beers allegedly expressed a desire to meet the girls for sex on multiple occasions, but added, “I would go to jail. cuz your only 13 and I’m 22.”
According to the criminal complaint, Beers expressed a desire to take the girl’s virginity, telling her that it was a “trophy to guys” and referred to one of the girls as his, “little sex slave.” Beers also allegedly asked one of the girls to send him a pair of her underwear, offering to send her a sex toy in return.
Beers was arrested on August 3rd by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Troopers from the Honesdale Barracks.
Beers is charged with 13 counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials and performances), along with one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Beers was preliminarily arraigned on August 3rd before Lakewood Magisterial District Judge Ronald J. Edwards and lodged in the Wayne County Jail in lieu of $50,000 straight bail. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
Beers will be prosecuted in Wayne County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.
Corbett thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.
Internet Safety
Corbett explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has arrested 270 online predators since it was created in January 2005, including suspects from every age, economic group and profession. He added that Internet predators have come from communities all across Pennsylvania, along with individuals who have traveled from as far away as Texas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and Ohio, all hoping to sexually victimize children.
Corbett recommended that parents and other caregivers should monitor how kids are using the Internet, including:
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Checking the websites they use frequently.
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Searching the social networking sites they visit.
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Reviewing their online profiles on FaceBook, MySpace and other websites.
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Discussing the items they post online.
Corbett added that parents should emphasize that kids should not share personal information online, like full names, ages, addresses, phone numbers and school information, and should be especially cautious about strangers who approach them online.
Additionally, Corbett said parents and teens also need to understand that safety concerns now extend beyond home computers.
“The same safety rules must be applied to cell phones and game systems, many of which can be used to send and receive messages, transmit photos and videos or used to access Internet websites,” Corbett said.
Suspected internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General’s Office by clicking on the “Report a Predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline at
1-800-385-1044.
