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LEWISTOWN -- A Lewistown man remains in the Mifflin County Correctional Facility after failing to post $500,000 bail as court documents provide additional details about the investigation that led to his arrest.
Randy Edward Moore, 32, is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. July 29 before Magisterial District Judge Kent A. Smith.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Lewistown police, Moore voluntarily came to the Lewistown Police Department after investigators contacted him Friday. After waiving his Miranda rights, he agreed to speak with police about his communications with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
The affidavit states Moore told investigators he continued communicating with the girl after learning she was 13 years old. Police allege he exchanged sexually explicit messages, sent an explicit photograph of himself and discussed meeting her.
According to the affidavit, Moore later told investigators he ended the relationship because he was "disgusted with himself," described his actions as "lower than low" and acknowledged he knew what he had done was wrong.
Moore is charged with attempted statutory sexual assault, attempted unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility, indecent assault and related offenses.
His arrest Friday came two days after videos posted on social media by YouTuber JiDion drew widespread attention and prompted questions about why no arrest had been made during the confrontation shown in the recordings.
On Thursday, Mifflin County District Attorney Christopher Torquato said successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases requires a thorough investigation and adherence to the rules of evidence. The Lewistown Police Department also said investigators needed to obtain admissible evidence before charges could be filed.
Police announced Moore's arrest Friday, saying investigators interviewed him under proper legal conditions, obtained admissible evidence and established probable cause. The affidavit filed with the charges provides additional details about that interview.