Pennsylvania man jailed on exploitation charges involving Union County teen

ROCHESTER, PA. — A Union County Sheriff's Office investigation led to a sex offender in Pennsylvania who authorities said was sending lewd messages to a Union County teen.

Christian Winterhalter, 45, sent nude pictures of himself to the teen and asked for pictures of her while he was listed on Pennsylvania’s Sex Offender Registry, deputies said.

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Deputies discovered the messages in June 2018 but finally arrested him earlier this month.

“We are grateful for the assistance that Homeland Security and local authorities in Beaver County, Pennsylvania provided,” Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey said. “This case is a perfect example of how modern technology provides predators opportunities to exploit children but thankfully we have resources to bring them to justice.”

Winterhalter is awaiting extradition back to North Carolina and will be charged with five counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of disseminating obscenity to a minor.

Cox Media Group