Monroe man arrested for using internet to propostion young girl

Agents of the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested a Monroe County man who is accused of using the internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year-old girl, as well as sending numerous nude or pornographic photos.

Salvatore J. Cottone, 26, of 21 Cobblewood Drive, Mt. Pocono, has been charged.

According to the AG office, Cottone allegedly used online chat rooms to approach an undercover agent from the unit who was using the online profile of a 13-year-old girl. During the first chat, Cottone is accused of sending the "girl" four pornographic images.

Cottone allegedly continued to contact the agent online, sending nude photos and discussing pornography - at one point explaining, "porn is good 4 ya."

Attorney General Tom Corbett said, "It is important for parents and children to understand that many predators send nude photos or sexually explicit videos - often within the first few minutes of an initial online chat." He added, "Computer and cell phone technology makes it fast and easy to send messages or images, and many of the individuals arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with what they believed were kids."

According to the complaint, Cottone expressed a desire to meet the girl for sex, telling her, "I so want you," and, "I wish I was there nude with you."Cottone is charged with six counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual materials and performances) and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Cottone was arraigned before District Judge Anthony Fluegel, of Tobyhanna, and was committed to the county prison in Snydersville in lieu of $75,000 bail. He was also ordered not to have any unsupervised contact with minors and is prohibited from using the internet. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. before Fluegel.

The AG office was assisted by Pocono Mountain Regional police in the investigation.

The arrest is the 252nd made by the Child Predator Unit.