Decoy 814 Pred Hunters help police catch man trying to meet teenage girl for sex in young township

YOUNG TWP., Pennsylvania (EYT) — A 31-year-old man is behind bars for allegedly trying to solicit a minor for sex in Young Township.

Court documents show state police based in Punxsutawney filed charges against a 31-year-old man. Ryan Scott Gabelliof Blairsville, in the office of District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock on Monday, June 17.

According to a criminal complaint, Ryan Gabelli sent a message to a decoy on a dating site called MeetMe around 12:41 a.m. on May 27. The decoy is a woman who works for 814 Pred Hunters in Clearfield.

On May 30, Gabelli exchanged text messages with the decoy, who told her she was 15 years old. Gabelli initially told the decoy that he was “not trying to go to jail,” but the two continued to exchange messages, discussing hobbies, relationships, weekend plans and more Again. The two men even sent each other “legal photographs,” the complaint states.

From May 30 to June 14, Gabelli texted and called the juvenile decoy and discussed “a lot of sexual content.” Gabelli made several references to sexual intercourse with the minor, the complaint states.

Gabelli made plans with the juvenile to pick her up on his motorcycle at a known business near State Route 436 and State Route 119 in Young Township, Jefferson County, on June 14. Gabelli would then drive the minor to his grandmother’s residence for the weekend, the complaint notes.

On June 14, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Officer Michael Malloy of PSP Punxsutawney observed a motorcycle near the known business. Trooper Malloy approached the motorcycle and recognized the driver as Gabelli from the photographs he had sent to the decoy. Gabelli was taken into custody and transported to PSP Punxsutawney. During transport, Gabelli asked “if this concerned the girl,” according to the complaint.

In a recorded interview with police, Gabelli admitted he should not have tried to meet the girl. He said he planned to take her to her grandmother’s home, but they were “only going to watch a movie,” the complaint continues.

Gabelli was arraigned at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 on the following charges before District Judge Gregory Bazylak:

• Statutory sexual assault: 11 years older, felony 1
• IDSI person under 16, crime 1
• Aggravated indecent assault – Complainant under 16, crime 2
• Corruption of minors – Defendant 18 years or older, felony 3
• Criminal use of means of communication, crime 3
• Indecent assault of a person under 16, offense 2
• Corruption of minors, offense 1

Unable to post $100,000.00 bail, he was booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at 8:45 a.m., with Judge Mizerock presiding.

EDITOR’S NOTE 1: Extreme graphic details were not included due to the sexual nature of the alleged crimes.
EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Several details have been removed from this article to help protect the identities of the alleged victims.