PEABODY — A North Shore man was one of 10 people arrested following an undercover sting on child predators in Pennsylvania, according to the Delaware County District Attorney.
Gregory Mark Sylvia, 32, of Lowell Street in Peabody, was charged with attempting to commit involuntary sexual intercourse. He was arraigned last month before District Judge John Lippart, who set bail at $10,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 13.
A police corporal posed as a 15-year-old boy on social media. During the exchanges, Sylvia allegedly sent nude photos and told the teen he wanted to perform sexual acts on him, the DA said. A meeting was arranged and upon his arrival, he was taken into custody.
The arrest was the result of an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
The news was first reported by Peabody Patch.
District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said the operation came at the conclusion of a month-long investigation during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The other defendants were from Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Task Force police officers from multiple police departments posed as juveniles on the internet.
“These defendants sought and targeted juveniles, attempting to prey upon our youth, for their own warped sexual gratification,” said Copeland in a statement. “That is the very definition of predatory behavior. Those who engage in this criminal conduct should be forewarned that our ICAC Task Force is working to locate and arrest these perpetrators who further the victimization of children.”
Sylvia could not be reached for comment.
