Accused Chester Co. Child Predator Tried To Flee US: DA

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A Chester County man charged recently after trying to meet a child for sex tried to flee the United States, authorities said.

Santhosh Akinepalli, 27, of Exton, bought a one-way ticket to India this week, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

He now faces the additional charge of flight to avoid trial or punishment, in addition to previous counts of attempt to commit statutory sexual assault.

Akinepalli started chatting with an undercover detective posing as an underaged girl back on April 6, officials said. He continued the conversation despite the officer continually saying that she was only 13-years-old, according to authorities.

How much for an hour?" he ultimately asked her, trying to see if she was interested in sex, police said.

Police set an agreed upon location to "meet" Akinepalli on April 13, and he was arrested without incident upon arrival.

Akinepalli remains in custody. A preliminary hearing is set for May 13.