
A BABY-faced high school senior has been hit with more than 300 felony charges in a sweeping sextortion and catfishing case.
Cops say he ran a “large-scale criminal network” that targeted underage boys online.
18-year-old Pennsylvania high school senior Zachariah Abraham Meyers has been arrested and hit with 300+ felony chargesCredit: WTAE
Police say evidence recovered from his phone tied him to the alleged activityCredit: WTAE
The arrest centers on McMurray, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, and a student at Peters Township High School.
Zachariah Abraham Meyers, 18, was arrested Friday, according to court records.
Online court records show Meyers is charged with more than 300 felonies, including counts tied to sex trafficking and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Police say they first became aware of the alleged criminal network on December 5.
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The docket lists charges that include trafficking in minors, sexual extortion, unlawful contact with a minor, and distribution of child sexual abuse material, among other offenses.
Investigators say Meyers used social media to draw victims into conversations.
Police allege he used platforms including TikTok and Snapchat to lure victims in, local outlets reported.
Authorities say he used photos of other people to pose as someone else.
One alleged fake identity included an adult film actress from another country, reports said.
Investigators interviewed 30 underage boys during the probe, and say they identified at least 21 victims between 14 and 17, WPXI reported.
‘DECEIVED AND COERCED’
The victims believed they were communicating with an attractive young woman.
“Meyers was able to deceive and coerce juvenile males into sending explicit pornographic images and videos of themselves,” authorities said.
Investigators say at least 14 victims sent explicit material of themselves.
One victim also sent videos recorded inside the high school, according to the complaint.
Police say one teen who tried to stop sending images was told, “I need smth (sic) to keep my silence.”
Authorities allege that victim was later coerced into having sex with two unknown adult men and recording it.
Another victim allegedly recorded the Peters Township High School wrestling locker room six times at Meyers’ direction.
Police say the videos captured about 10 underage boys in various states of undress.
One victim also told police Meyers demanded $500 and sent an explicit image to the victim’s sister.
Police say evidence recovered from his phone tied him to the alleged activity.
Meyers is being held at Washington County Prison while the case moves forward and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Bail was denied, and he has been deemed both a danger to the community and a flight risk, the docket states.
The Peters Township School District said police notified the district about the investigation.
“The Police have indicated that there is no immediate safety risk to our schools, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation,” the district said in a statement.
“The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our highest priority, and we appreciate all the efforts of the Peters Township Police in this matter.”
Officials have not released further details about the alleged network or whether more alleged victims could come forward.
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