A Delaware man is charged with arranging to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex, then driving to Lancaster County for the meeting to find a man had posed online as the girl.
Pennsylvania State Police charged 34-year-old Michael David Towner with nine felonies – including criminal attempt and solicitation of various sex acts from a minor – and two misdemeanors.
Trooper Kory Wardrop filed charges Friday afternoon, when Towner also was arrested in Lancaster city.
Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick approved the charges.
Towner was arraigned on the charges and jailed on $100,000 bail, which was posted via a bondsman.
Towner, of Magnolia, Del., is presumed innocent.
The man who posed as the girl, Justin Perry, recorded the encounter at Rutter’s in East Lampeter Township.
State police obtained the recording and spoke to Perry, who provided information, including online conversations between he and Towner – when Towner believed he was a 15-year-old girl.
In those conversations, “the girl” tells Towner he is 15. Towner makes graphic requests and remarks about sex with the girl.
In one online exchange, “the girl” asks Towner if he cares that she is 15.
Towner replies: “I really don’t care as long as your (sic) alright (sic) with me having sex with you and being around you.”
At the recorded meeting in East Lampeter Township, Towner shows Perry condoms he purchased in preparation for the meeting. Towner also admits to sending the online messages and being there for sex with the girl.
When Perry calls Towner’s cellphone (Perry obtained it via the online conversations), the caller shows up on Towner’s phone as “Brittany.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright