MILFORD, Pa. (Pike County) — A Morris County man has been charged with multiple felonies after authorities allege he traveled to Pike County intending to pay $300 for sexual contact with a 14-year-old child, according to the Pike County District Attorney’s Office.
Michael McGuire, 49, of Rockaway, was arrested July 23 by detectives with the district attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division, District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced.
McGuire was charged with criminal attempt to commit trafficking in individuals, criminal attempt to patronize a victim of sexual servitude, two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, authorities said. All of the charges are felonies.
The attempted trafficking and attempted patronizing charges are considered human trafficking offenses under Pennsylvania law, according to the district attorney’s office.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, investigators obtained information that McGuire was willing to travel to Pike County to engage in sexual contact with a 14-year-old child in exchange for $300.
Detectives arrested McGuire when he arrived at the arranged location, authorities said. Investigators allegedly found two condoms and $300 in cash in his possession.
“Any adult seeking engage in sexual contact with a child is depraved. Those that are willing to pay for sexual contact with a minor bring the depravity to a higher level. Any commercial sex act with a minor is a human trafficking offense and brings with it higher penalties. At the Pike County District Attorney’s Office, we will continue to seek out and arrest child predators,” Tonkin said.
Magisterial District Judge Cristin Cavallaro set bail at $400,000, and McGuire was taken to the Pike County Correctional Facility after he did not post bail, according to authorities.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 4.
Anyone with information about suspected child abuse can contact Pennsylvania ChildLine at 800-932-0313.
