The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Chester County Detectives announced the arrest of James Richards, 53, of Satellite Beach, Florida, as part of a sting operation where the defendant solicited sexual contact with a child from an undercover police officer. 

The defendant was charged with attempted rape of a child, trafficking in persons, and related offenses. Magisterial District Judge Timothy Arndt arraigned the defendant on December 1, and set a cash bail of $2,000,000. He is currently being held at Chester County prison.

Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “The defendant traveled to Chester County with the express purpose of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl for $300. I am grateful to team of detectives who worked over the Thanksgiving weekend to catch this child predator.”

The criminal complaint filed by the Chester County Detectives details how, on November 25, a witness reported to police information concerning the alleged rape of an unknown 10-year-old child in the state of Florida. The witness reported that in discussions with Richards on November 25, Richards detailed how he recently sexual assaulted 10-year-old child in the presence of the child’s mother. Acting upon information that Richards traveled to Pennsylvania for the holiday and intended to be in Chester County during his stay, a Chester County Detective, acting in an undercover role, scheduled a meeting with the defendant after the defendant solicited sexual contact from a fictional nine-year old child in the undercover officer’s care. Richards confirmed the meeting date and time and agreed to pay $300 for sexual contact with the child. 

On November 30, investigators arrested Richards when he arrived at the pre-arranged meeting point with the $300 and other agreed-upon items, including lubrication jelly and Skittles candy for the child.

de Barrena-Sarobe also stated, “We believe there is at least one child victim who we have yet to identify. If you have any information about this investigation, please immediately contact the Chester County Detectives at 610-344- 6866.”

The Chester County Detectives Office is the lead investigating agency and received substantial assistance from the Phoenixville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia. First Assistant District Attorney Erin O’Brien is the assigned prosecutor. As a reminder, if you have concerns about the safety of a child, you should say something. Call 911. Call Childline at 1- 800-932-0313. Childline reports can be anonymous.