In late January, the police were alerted about a case of a juvenile female talking to an unknown male on the social media app, Snapchat.
The suspect stated that he is a twenty-five year old male from the Philadelphia area. The victim stated that she is a twelve-year-old female. The suspect stated that “age is just a number,” and still continued conversations with the female. The suspect then went on to ask the girl if she was a virgin, and that he wants to be her “first.” The suspect then proceeded to send the victim a clothed photograph of himself. The suspect requested the victim to send “sexy” photographs of herself to him.
At this point, the young girl and her mother gave permission to let investigators take control of the victims phone and Snapchat account.
Investigators were able to identify the suspect through his Snapchat username, and he was identified as Shane Kelly Torpey. Torpey had also sent a photograph of himself, which identified himself as the suspect.
Prior to setting up a meeting location with the suspect, the suspect asked if he could pick up the victim from school. On numerous occasions, the suspect stated that the victim is “sexy” and wanted to have sexual contact with her. Investigators set up arrangements to meet with the suspect when the victim got out of school, on Monday, January 27, 2020.
On January 27, investigators began watching the video surveillance system at the designated park, at which time, a vehicle with New York registration was observed to be parked at the location. After the suspect left the premises and came back, investigators approached the suspect, in which he was observed to be holding his cell phone, with his SnapChat screen displaying messages with the undercover Police Officer. The male was again identified as Shane Kelly Torpey, of New York.
Torpey was charged with Unlawful Contact with a Minor along with other charges.
Assisting Agencies: Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, K9 Spike, and Luzerne Borough Police Department. The full press release can be found here.
