Bucks County Officials Announce Arrests of 17 Alleged Child Predators

In a decisive move against child exploitation, Bucks County officials have announced the arrest of 17 individuals accused of internet crimes targeting minors.

 

The Bensalem Police Department, in collaboration with the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, conducted an extensive investigation over several months.

 

Detectives employed undercover operations, posing as minors to identify and apprehend alleged predators.

 

District Attorney Jennifer Schorn emphasized the relentless pursuit of these offenders, stating, "Although these 17 men were unrelenting in their pursuit of children for their own deviant sexual gratification, the Bensalem Township Police Department was unrelenting in pursuing them, and my office will be unrelenting in their prosecution."

 

She highlighted the county's leadership in combating internet crimes against children.

 

The charges against the suspects are as follows:

 

Soliciting Sex and Traveling for Sex with a Minor:

 

Anthony Dillard, 49, of West Chester, Pennsylvania

 

David Sheregi, 31, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

 

Eric Karch, 53, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

 

Warren Batz, 38, of Slatington, Pennsylvania

 

Ali Memis, 64, of Levittown, Pennsylvania

 

Oscar Castillo-Peralta, 53, of Mays Landing, New Jersey

 

Soliciting Sex from a Minor:

 

Steven Patras, 65, of Hainesport, New Jersey

 

Ryan Fisher, 26, of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania

 

Ian Evans, 35, of Philadelphia

 

John Blaskowski, 56, of Frederick, Maryland

 

George Shetzline, 54, of Bristol, Pennsylvania

 

Possession or Distribution of Child Pornography:

 

Joseph Ibbetson, 43, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania

 

John Breslin, 42, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania

 

Kyle Binder, 30, of Warminster, Pennsylvania

 

Dennis Realley, 74, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania

 

Terrel Roane, 22, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania

 

Matthew Wolff, 34, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania

 

Director of Public Safety William McVey noted that many suspects traveled to Bensalem with the intent to engage in sexual activities with minors.

 

He stated, "Their intentions were clear to us in law enforcement. They traveled to a specific location at times with condoms or candy in their possession at the time of the arrest."

 

Officials also revealed that two suspects, Dillard and Patras, were already listed on the Megan’s Law sexual offender registry at the time of their arrests.

 

McVey highlighted the high recidivism rate among such offenders, underscoring the need for proactive measures.

 

The Bensalem Police Department continues to collaborate with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI to combat child exploitation.

 

McVey affirmed, "These arrests are the result of tireless investigative work. Our officers are dedicated to tracking down offenders who use technology to exploit children. There are no jurisdictional boundaries for child predators; they can victimize our children from anywhere, and we will continue to hold them accountable and keep our children safe."

 

During the press conference, officials also shared a list of 15 apps that have been used by child predators, urging parents to be vigilant about their children's online activities.

 

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.