Southern York County Life

Police seek identity of porn mass-mailer

Pictures sent to churches, residents in Stewartstown area; minors had opened some letters

Someone’s been sending graphic photos clipped from explicit sex magazines to churches, businesses and residents in Stewartstown.  “There are 10 letters that we know of so far,” borough Police Chief Charles Reid said. “It’s mainly businesses, but some private citizens have received them, too ... and three churches that we know of.”

Each envelope contains sexually explicit cut-out photos and a computer-generated letter, which begins, “Greetings, friends and neighbors,” according to Reid.  People began receiving them in the mail on Monday.

“They’re all identical,” he said of the printed letters. “The only thing different is the pictures. They’re nasty. I don’t know what this person’s game is.” The letter goes on to say, “If you want more of this action, call me at --” and provides a number that corresponds to a home in the borough. The home’s address appears as the return address on each envelope, Reid said.

The bewildered man who lives at that address told police he’s fielded a few irate calls, the chief said.  “He came to see me Monday when he started getting the calls,” said Reid, who declined to identify the man.

One of the letters went to a family-run business and was opened by the owner’s 14-year-old daughter, according to the chief.  “She got quite a shock,” he said.

Police have not yet publicly identified the victims.

Reid said there doesn’t appear to be any pattern to the mailings or any relation between the victims. The individual citizens who got letters are “just regular people,” he said. All the letters carry a Stewartstown postmark, he said.  Reid said his department has contacted U.S. Postal Service inspectors to see if they’re interested in charging the culprit.

If caught, the person faces “at least” harassment charges, and possibly charges of corruption of minors and providing pornography to minors, the chief said.

One of the letters was “returned” to the mailing address home as undeliverable, so it was never opened, Reid said.  “We’re hoping to get fingerprints off the letter or the pictures inside,” he said.  “This person needs help, and we’ll get them that help,” he said. “He can come in voluntarily, or we’ll find him.”

-- Reach Elizabeth Evans at levans@yorkdispatch.com or 854-1575, ext. 429. Police want tips, letters

Stewartstown Police are looking for anyone with information about who is sending sexually explicit photos to Stewartstown churches, businesses and residents.  They’re also asking anyone who received a letter to turn it over to them.  Letters can be dropped off at the 6 N. Main St. station between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Or call police at 993-5308.

Source: The York Dispatch (we obtain permission for external material)
by ELIZABETH EVANS
Posted by Dan Baldwin on 01/07/2005 at 03:29 PM in News

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