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Man accused of attempt to have sex with minor

Newman allegedly traveled more than 200 miles to meet juvenile

From Mirror staff reports

A Bath man is behind bars on $1 million bail after being accused of traveling more than 200 miles to meet a juvenile male for sex at a local hotel, according to court documents.

Richard Ralph Newman, 67, was arraigned Friday by Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones on single felony counts of criminal attempt – statutory sexual assault and unlawful contact with a minor, as well as a single misdemeanor count of possession of an instrument of crime with intent.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Altoona police were dispatched to the Wingate Hotel about 3:42 p.m. Thursday after Newman met up with a decoy posing as a 15-year-old named “Kyle.”

The decoy’s mother met with police in the hotel’s lobby and said her son has been posing as an underage male on dating sites.

When police went to Newman’s hotel room, they met with the decoy, who was wearing a GoPro and recording his conversation with Newman. The decoy’s mother said she had to leave the room after Newman allegedly said he previously had sexual contact with a minor, the report states.

In an interview with police, Newman said he met “Kyle” on a dating website. Newman allegedly admitted he knew “Kyle” was only 15 years old and he knew it was wrong, but he still booked a hotel room to meet up with the teen.

Police said the decoy turned over his cellphone as evidence and provided files that he saved from his conversations with Newman. The files show that conversations between Newman and “Kyle” began on Jan. 3 and included sexually explicit messages.

The report states that “Kyle” informed Newman that he was 15 on Jan. 4, and Newman then replied “That’s fine with me.”

Officers obtained a search warrant for Newman’s hotel room, luggage and vehicle for electronic devices, sexual items and to complete a physical and forensic analysis of any electronics they found. They located multiple sex toys, lubricant and medications, including Viagra, in Newman’s luggage and a receipt for the hotel reservation in Newman’s briefcase. During a physical analysis of Newman’s phone, text messages were located between Newman and “Kyle,” according to the affidavit.

Newman is being held in the Blair County Prison. His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 29 before Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. DeAntonio.

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