A Pottsville man who was nabbed as part of a Predator Poachers sting operation that began in late-2024 was sentenced to state prison Tuesday.
William Detwiler III received a sentence of 2-6 years in state prison.
Detwiler entered a guilty plea on felony charges of corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility, two counts of criminal solicitation of child sexual abuse material, and attempted possession of child sexual abuse material.
Four counts of criminal solicitation of child sexual abuse material, five counts of attempted possession of child sexual abuse material, and two misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure were all withdrawn as part of the guilty plea.
On Jan. 13, police in Pottsville were contacted by a representative of Predator Poachers, a popular YouTube channel that baits would-be sexual predators into illicit conversations they believe to be with minors.
Detwiler believed he was chatting with an 14-year-old girl on the Messenger app. However, it was really a representative of Predator Poachers.
Detwiler reportedly wrote that “her age was great” and “in fact, I think you are sexy.” He then reportedly sent a shirtless photo of himself to what he thought was an 11-year-old girl. Detwiler escalated the conversation, police say, by sending a photo of his genitals and continually asking for similar pictures in return.
Predator Poachers approached Detwiler at his home on W. Norwegian St. in Pottsville back in January. The channel posted a video of their encounter with him. During that video, Pottsville Police arrive on the scene.
Detwiler was taken into custody, arraigned and held in Schuylkill County Prison.
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