MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL CO. (WOLF) — A Lehigh County man is facing multiple felony charges after an undercover investigation by Mahanoy City police allegedly uncovered plans to meet a person he believed was a teenage girl.
Robert C. Matthews, 37, of Germansville, was charged with attempted statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility, according to court records.
Police allege the investigation began in March when Mahanoy City Police Chief Thomas Rentschler conducted an online operation targeting individuals seeking contact with minors. Investigators say Matthews initiated contact with an undercover account and continued communicating after being informed the individual was 15 years old.
According to the criminal complaint, Matthews allegedly arranged to meet the person in Mahanoy City and traveled to the designated location, where officers took him into custody without incident.
Court documents state investigators later recovered and reviewed communications related to the case. Police also allege Matthews acknowledged concerns about the situation during a post-arrest interview.
Matthews was formally charged on June 23 and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker. Bail was set at $100,000 cash, and court records indicate he was unable to post bail.
He remains incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 2.
The charges stem from allegations contained in a police affidavit. Matthews is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
FOX56 news-gathering partner Skook News contributed to this report.