'Predator Poachers' Nab Bensalem Man Seeking Sex With Teen: PD

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — A 42-year-old Philadelphia man is in custody after being charged in an incident where he tried to lure a 13-year-old girl into sex acts but was outed by an internet vigilante group, police said.

Bensalem Police arrested Eric Rooney at 9:10 p.m. on Thursday after receiving a call from a member of an internet vigilante group called “Predator Poachers.”

Police were advised that a member of their group had been posing as a 13-year-old girl and communicating with Rooney for the last eight months on Instagram.

During the course of conversations, Rooney knew the “girl” he was messaging with to be 13 years of age, made numerous extremely explicit statements and sexual suggestions to the “girl," police said.

Rooney advised the “girl” that he wanted to, and planned to, engage in sexual intercourse with her, police said.

At 9 p.m. on Thursday, Rooney traveled to the 2500 block of Knights Road to meet up with the “girl” to perform sexual acts with her that he had discussed.

Upon his arrival, he was confronted by members of the group “Predator Poachers” who then notified police.

Rooney was interviewed by Bensalem Detectives and admitted that he knew the “girl” he was messaging with was 13. He admitted that he traveled to meet her to perform sexual acts with her.

Rooney also admitted to using his cell phone to obtain and view child pornography, police said.

Rooney was charged with Attempted Involuntary Deviant Sexual Intercourse with a Minor, Attempted Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Attempted Corruption of Minors, Attempted Indecent Assault of a Minor, and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.

Rooney was arraigned by District Justice Regina Armitage, who set bail at 10 percent of $500,000. He was remanded to Bucks County Correctional Facility.

Although there was a positive outcome in this case, the Bensalem Township Police Department does not encourage these types of confrontations by vigilante groups. Anyone who has information about a possible child predator is requested to call the police before making contact so that the safety of all involved can be maintained.

"Bensalem Township Police Department has a robust, proactive approach to identifying and prosecuting these types of offenders and has conducted numerous investigations and made numerous arrests for this type of illegal conduct," police said.

Anyone with information about Rooney or the case should call Bensalem Detectives at 215-633-3719.