Norristown Man Tried To Meet 14-Year-Old Boy For Sex: Attorney General

A Montgomery County man has been arrested after he attempted to meet a 14-year-old boy for sex and was met by undercover agents instead, Attorney General Kathleen Kane's office announced.

Charles Edward Christmann, 44, of Norristown, was arrested Monday at a predetermined meeting location in Upper Merion where he believed the sexual encounter would take place, officials said.

"When I took office, I wanted to be proactive in finding and locking up child predators. This investigation, which led to the arrest of an individual who clearly intended to sexually abuse a child, was just the kind of case I envisioned," Kane said in a statement. "Coming on the heels of our 500th arrest like this, I want to reassure the public that our Child Predator Section is working every day to keep our children safe."

The Child Predator Section launched their investigation by examining online advertisements to search for individuals attempting to exploit children, according to the Attorney General.

An undercover agent, posing as a 14-year-boy, made contact with a person later identified as Christmann, officials said. Christmann then allegedly sent several sexually explicit photographs and messages to the undercover agent.

Christmann is charged with two counts each of unlawful contact with a minor and one count each of criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, along with further similar counts, authorities said.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 18.

Suspected child predators can be reported to the Office of Attorney General by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044.

Image courtesy Attorney General Kathleen Kane's office.