By Brett R. Whitling
Staff writer
CLARION – A 21-year-old Clarion man faces charges he sent sexually-explicit content to a 15-year-old girl.
Brandon J. Hinderliter is charged with displaying explicit sexual material with a minor; unlawful contact with a minor containing obscene sexual materials; criminal use of a communication facility; criminal solicitation with minor for sexual abuse, all third-degree misdemeanors; and statutory sexual assault, a second-degree misdemeanor.
On Aug. 10, Clarion Borough Police Officer William H. Peck IV met with a mother and her 15-year-old daughter.
The mother reported an incident in which her daughter received a photo of Hinderliter’s genitals. The mother stated she did not know this occurred until she looked at her daughter’s cell phone.
Peck spoke to the 15-year-old who reported she had met Hinderliter several years ago when they were both in a home for troubled youth.
The victim said she ran into Hinderliter at GameStop in Monroe Township where they talked to each other.
The victim said she received a private Facebook message Aug. 8 from Hinderliter and the two continued a conversation.
The victim stated in one message, Hinderliter told the victim, “She looked hot” and later sent a photo of his genitals.
The 15-year-old responded saying she was in a relationship and as a reply, he asked for a photo of her. Additional content allegedly was also sent to the victim which is too explicit to be included with this report.
The victim then showed Peck the messages on her cell phone which Peck copied and placed into a file.
The victim told Peck she did not know where Hinderliter is living and she did not know him that well. She also stated Hinderliter knows she is only 15-years-old because of when they lived in the same home for troubled youth.
Clarion Borough Police Officer Neil E. Kemmer stopped at the home of the victim Aug. 18 to confirm how she knew Hinderliter.
The 15-year-old explained about living in the home for troubled youth and about the day she saw Hinderliter at GameStop.
Peck visited Hinderliter Aug. 25 at his residence and interviewed him about the complaint.
Peck explained the mother was not happy about him sending a picture to her daughter. Hinderliter said he was “was sorry about that,” and embarrassed. He then deleted his Facebook and Facebook Messenger account.
Hinderliter allegedly said it was a big mistake as he claims to have been talking to a girl in North Carolina and intended to send her the picture but sent it to 15 other people on his contact list. Hinderliter allegedly confirmed to Peck the photo he sent was of his genitals.
Peck allegedly asked Hinderliter how he sent a photo of his genitals to 15 other people by mistake, but he could not explain how it could happen.
Hinderliter allegedly claimed to know the 15-year-old through a group session called IT. When asked how old the girl was, he allegedly stated 15 or 16 years old and confirmed his age to Peck.
Hinderliter allegedly claimed he was not communicating with the victim prior to the photo being sent to her by mistake and was talking to a girl from North Carolina.
Peck allegedly asked Hinderliter twice if he was telling the truth and he replied saying he was.
Peck pulled out the printed Facebook message log between Hinderliter and the victim. After reading several messages sent by Hinderliter, he allegedly admitted to meeting her at GameStop that day and she told him she was 18.
Peck allegedly reminded Hinderliter of just a minute before when he told Peck she was 15 or 16 years old. Hinderliter allegedly claimed again she told him she was 18.
Hinderliter allegedly said he was fighting that day with his girlfriend who is 43 years old and he was thinking he would like to date a younger girl then ran into the victim at GameStop.
Hinderliter allegedly admitted to sending her messages on Facebook Messenger and that he knew the victim was 15 or 16 years old and not 18 years old.
Hinderliter gave consent for Peck to view his iPhone but no pictures or content regarding the messages were on the phone.
Hinderliter allegedly deleted Facebook and Facebook Messenger off his phone after receiving a reply message from the victim’s mother. He also allegedly admitted the statement of sending the picture to 15 other people was a lie as well as an attempt to justify what he did.
Hinderliter is being held at the Clarion County Jail for unable to being to post a $25,000 bail.