HARRISBURG – Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced the arrest of a Canadian man charged with trying to arrange a sexual rendezvous in the Harrisburg area with a person he believed was a 14-year-old boy. The “boy” was actually an undercover agent from the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
Ashok F. Guha, 45, of Toronto, was arrested Sunday in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, following an online investigation.
The investigation began when an agent posing as a 14-year-old boy answered an online advertisement. That led to email and chat correspondence with Guha, who allegedly said he was planning to travel to Harrisburg for a business trip and wanted companionship.
According to a criminal complaint, Guha identified himself as a photographer during the conversations and sent links to pictures of nude men. Later, Guha allegedly sent a picture of an iPod, which agents said he planned to give to the “boy” as a gift when they met in person.
Guha also made comments suggesting his intent to have sexual contact with the “boy,” and set up a time at a specific location to meet him, agents allege. He was apprehended by agents from the Office of Attorney General and officers from the Swatara Township Police Department. They reported using a photo Guha had provided of himself to positively identify him.
Guha is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility.
Bail was set at $1 million at his preliminary arraignment Monday. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 1 before Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Smith.
Attorney General Kane thanked officers from the Toronto Police Department and the Swatara Township Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney Christopher J. Jones of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
Reporting Child Predators
Suspected child predators can be reported to the Office of Attorney General by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Individuals who suspect an online predator or child sexual abuse can also send an anonymous tip to the office by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.
