Temple

From Mirror staff reports

A city man who attempted to meet up with a 15-year-old girl is behind bars after a local vigilante group contacted Logan Township police about the case.

Officers with the Logan Township Police Department Criminal Investigation Division and Patrol Division arrested 66-year-old Russell Howard Temple on Wednesday after an investigation into criminal attempted statutory sexual assault that was first reported by the 814PredHunters group.

According to Logan Township police, the 814PredHunters group reached out to police on Tuesday stating that one of their 15-year-old female decoys was in contact with Temple, who was soliciting who he thought was a juvenile.

814PredHunter members met with the detectives at the Logan Township Police Department, where investigators used the decoy to set up a meet with Temple at the Logan Valley Mall, the report states. After conducting surveillance, Temple was seen arriving at the mall to meet with the would-be 15-year-old female. However, Temple was met by Logan Township police officers, who ultimately took him into custody.

Temple was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio on felony counts of criminal attempt – statutory sexual assault, criminal attempt – involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal attempt – aggravated indecent assault, criminal attempt – corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful contact with a minor – sexual servitude.

Unable to post $250,000 bail, he was remanded to the Blair County Prison. His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 8 before Dunio.