Carlisle, Cumberland County -
A Cumberland County man and Senate staffer is facing several charges in a bizarre sex case.
40-year-old Alan Berlin of Carlisle, is accused of using Internet chats and instant messages to proposition a 15-year-old boy from Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.
"Berlin, using the screen name Alan Panda Bear, allegedly discussed dressing up in animal costumes and engaging in various sex acts with the boy," said Attorney General Tom Corbett.
Court documents show that Berlin and the boy had several graphic online conversations. Authorities say during chats, Berlin requested nude photos of the boy and suggested having sex in the teen's backyard.
"Berlin is also accused of attempting to arrange a meeting between the boy and another adult, offering to get them a hotel room if Berlin could take photos of them having sex," said Attorney General Tom Corbett.
Some words used in the talks suggest Berlin may have been involved in "furry fandom," a group based on the enjoyment of half-animal, half-human philosophies. Berlin was registered on "furry" websites like pounced.org.
Neighbors say Berlin kept to himself, but did have some strange tendencies.
"He carried stuffed animals out into his car," said Charles Day Jr, neighbor.
"I have twin 9-year-old boys and for someone to do that right across the street, it is crazy," said Jennifer Heckendorn.
News of Berlin's arrest is spreading throughout the capitol. Berlin has worked in the Senate since 1993, most recently for Senator Jane Orie.
Michael Sarfert, Esq., Chief Counsel to Senator Jane Orie released this statement, "As a former ten year veteran prosecutor who specialized in prosecuting child abuse and child sexual assault cases, Senator Orie was shocked and appalled."
Berlin was fired Friday from Senator Orie's staff. He is in Dauphin County Prison, facing a number of charges including Unlawful Contact with a Minor and Criminal Attempt/Sexual Exploitation of Children.
40-year-old Alan Berlin of Carlisle, is accused of using Internet chats and instant messages to proposition a 15-year-old boy from Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.
"Berlin, using the screen name Alan Panda Bear, allegedly discussed dressing up in animal costumes and engaging in various sex acts with the boy," said Attorney General Tom Corbett.
Court documents show that Berlin and the boy had several graphic online conversations. Authorities say during chats, Berlin requested nude photos of the boy and suggested having sex in the teen's backyard.
"Berlin is also accused of attempting to arrange a meeting between the boy and another adult, offering to get them a hotel room if Berlin could take photos of them having sex," said Attorney General Tom Corbett.
Some words used in the talks suggest Berlin may have been involved in "furry fandom," a group based on the enjoyment of half-animal, half-human philosophies. Berlin was registered on "furry" websites like pounced.org.
Neighbors say Berlin kept to himself, but did have some strange tendencies.
"He carried stuffed animals out into his car," said Charles Day Jr, neighbor.
"I have twin 9-year-old boys and for someone to do that right across the street, it is crazy," said Jennifer Heckendorn.
News of Berlin's arrest is spreading throughout the capitol. Berlin has worked in the Senate since 1993, most recently for Senator Jane Orie.
Michael Sarfert, Esq., Chief Counsel to Senator Jane Orie released this statement, "As a former ten year veteran prosecutor who specialized in prosecuting child abuse and child sexual assault cases, Senator Orie was shocked and appalled."
Berlin was fired Friday from Senator Orie's staff. He is in Dauphin County Prison, facing a number of charges including Unlawful Contact with a Minor and Criminal Attempt/Sexual Exploitation of Children.
