Farmington man accused of trying to meet up with 15-year-old
A Farmington man is accused of traveling to a Fayette County park with the intent of a sexual encounter with a teenage girl.
Gary Phares Jr., 39, had been communicating via text and Facebook with someone he thought was a 15-year-old girl for a month before Wednesday afternoon’s planned meet-up at the Wharton Township Park, according to the criminal complaint.
On Monday, a person not listed in the criminal complaint contacted Pennsylvania State Police about the messages, which began with Phares asking the girl’s age and continued with a series of sexual comments, as well as naked photos of Phares, court paperwork stated.
Phares also discussed setting up an encounter with the girl near the Ohiopyle area, the complaint said.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, after the person provided the phone to state police Wednesday morning, a trooper contacted Phares to set up a meeting later that day.
PSP Uniontown patrol and criminal investigation officers were at the park when Phares arrived shortly before 3 p.m., as well as members of the Southwest Computer Crime Unit, charging documents stated.
Troopers seized Phares’ phone, as well as condoms he told police he had purchased earlier that day, the complaint said.
Phares is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, attempted statutory sexual assault, attempted indecent assault of a person under 16 and criminal use of a communication facility.
Phares is lodged in the Fayette County jail after being unable to post $35,000 bond.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.