By Steve Pope | February 26, 2019
A Westmoreland County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony charges of attempting to have sexual contact with a 14-year-old, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Kelly Harrington, 48, pleaded guilty to felony charges of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt and criminal use of a communication facility in connection with a June 2018 incident where he solicited an undercover agent posing as a minor for sex.
According to court documents, Harrington had an online conversation with the agent and despite being told he was communicating with a 14-year-old, he continued to pursue a conversation with the agent.
Harrington solicited the agent for unlawful sexual contact and arranged to meet the agent, according to a criminal complaint.
“My office is committed to protecting children from abuse and will prosecute anyone we find attempting to prey on minors to the fullest extent of the law,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “This predator made arrangements to meet up with someone he believed was only 14 years old. Thanks to the relentless work of our agents and prosecutors, he is being held accountable for his illegal actions.”
A sentencing date will be scheduled 90 days after the presentence investigation is completed.
The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section has made 179 arrests since January 2017 when Attorney General Shapiro was sworn into office.
Steve Pope can be contacted at steve.pope@grantstreetnews.com