Two men have been arrested in western Pennsylvania for seeking sexual contact with undercover law enforcement agents posing as minors. John Carter, 58, and Simon Whaby, 55, were taken into custody as part of an undercover investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General and Robinson Township Police.
According to Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the arrests are a result of the Office of Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit’s efforts to investigate human trafficking cases across Pennsylvania. Shapiro stated that his office will continue to prosecute offenders who exploit children and create a market for human trafficking.
On April 22, 2021, agents from the Office of Attorney General and Robinson Township Police arrested John Carter for his efforts to solicit sexual services from an agent posing as a minor boy and an adult male trafficker. Carter is being charged with one count of Unlawful Contact with a Minor, one count of Attempted Patronizing a Victim of Sexual Servitude, one count of Attempted Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, and one count of Criminal Use of a Communications Facility.
The next day, agents and Robinson Township Police also arrested Simon Whaby for his efforts to solicit sexual services from an agent posing as a minor and an adult trafficker. Whaby is being charged with one count of Unlawful Contact with a Minor, one count of Attempted Patronizing a Victim of Sexual Servitude, one count of Attempted Statutory Sexual Assault, and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
The cases are being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Summer Carroll. All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Both preliminary hearings will be held on May 11, 2021. This investigation was assisted by the OAG’s Child Predator Section.
Earlier this month in Washington County, the OAG announced the guilty verdict in a separate human trafficking case. The defendant, St. Patrick Earl Levy, was found guilty of two counts of felony human trafficking of a minor and all underlying counts of promoting prostitution, corruption of minors, and living off of prostitutes. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Wymard.
The Office of Attorney General is committed to holding individuals accountable for their crimes and uncovering child predators. If you or someone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: Pennsylvania AG
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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