Jefferson County Man Allegedly Poses as Teen to Lure 14-year-old

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published November 25, 2015 8:45 pm
Jefferson County Man Allegedly Poses as Teen to Lure 14-year-old

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) — A 22-year-old Punxsutawney man is facing felony charges in connection with an alleged statutory sexual assault in the borough.

Punxsutawney Boro Police filed the following charges against 22-year-old Jacob William Tyler Fanus:

  • Statutory Sexual Assault: 4-8 Years Older, Felony 2
  • Child Pornography, Felony (3 counts)
  • Unlawful Contact with Minor — Sexual Offenses, Felony 3
  • Corruption of Minors, Misdemeanor 1
  • Indecent Assault of a Person Less than 16 Year of Age, Misdemeanor 2

According to a criminal complaint filed at Magisterial District Judge Douglas Robert Chambers’ office, Pat Berger of Western Pa. Cares for Kids interviewed the 14-year-old female victim on November 9.

During the interview, the victim stated that she had performed oral sex on the defendant in June 2015 at his residence.

Police were granted access to the victim’s Facebook account where they discovered a private message conversation between the victim and Fanus.

On May 2, the victim told the defendant she was 14-years-old. The defendant then allegedly told the victim that he was 18-years-old, according to the criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint states that the victim sent a nude photo to the defendant via Facebook private message on May 17.

The defendant then allegedly received a video from the victim, which shows her on her knees with her buttocks facing the camera nude. The defendant viewed the video and allegedly made comments about her buttocks, according to the complaint.

On June 17, the defendant and victim were again on Facebook Messenger and discussed meeting later that day. The defendant allegedly requested the victim to walk to his residence after he got off work, according to the complaint.

Police subsequently filed charges against Fanus.

Fanus faces a preliminary hearing on December 22 before Magisterial District Judge Douglas Robert Chambers.

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