Eric Gillespie 

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A man is accused of trying to arrange sexual contact with a pre-teen girl after using an online chat platform, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Monday, Nov. 10.

Eric T. Gillespie, 57, of Pittsburgh, is charged with four felonies, including multiple counts of unlawful contact with a minor, according to Sunday’s release.

An agent with the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section, posing as an adult on a chat platform often used by offenders to target children, engaged in conversation with Gillespie, investigators said. Gillespie allegedly attempted to meet with a pre-teen girl in Lebanon County.

“Our Child Predator Section proactively uncovered this defendant who, under an online pseudonym, was lurking online to access children,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This case is yet another example of the dangers that exist online in anonymous chat platforms and other communication venues.”

A magisterial district judge denied Gillespie’s bail at arraignment, citing flight risk and public safety concerns, according to the release.

The investigation, assisted by the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office, revealed evidence suggesting additional contact with children, authorities said.

Anyone with information that could assist law enforcement is urged to contact the Office of Attorney General at 800-385-1044 and ask for Agent Roby.

The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie Swinehart.