POLICE: Two men arrested in Pennsylvania for trying to have sex with teen
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Two men have been arrested after they allegedly tried to meet and have sex with a teen who actually turned out to be a decoy for a pred hunter group.
Todd Yarnell Jr., 27, of Homer City, and Tommy Burns, 39, of Reston, Virginia, are both facing charges after 814 Pred Hunters came forward to police to report that they were communicating sexually with what they thought was a 15-year-old girl, according to a criminal complaint.
In Yarnell's case, he allegedly started speaking to the decoy between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, 2025. Text messages turned over to police showed that he had conversations that were sexual after the decoy informed him that she was 15 years old.
According to the affidavit, Yarnell arranged to meet the decoy at a local Sheetz to have sex. Officers wrote that he 'took the necessary steps to attempt to commit sexual crimes against a minor.' Officers with the Brookville Police Department arrived at the meeting place and took him into custody.
Man charged after 'lewd' phone calls reported in Jefferson County
In the case of Burns, he allegedly began texting the decoy in November of 2024. Burns was noted to have asked the decoy if her parents would see her phone and even said that he did not want to get in trouble. The decoy also identified her age in this case, according to the complaint.
Burns went on to ask the alleged minor if her dad lived with her, which police noted as 'offenders will often ask about male figures in the child's life to estimate the likeliness of being confronted.' Throughout messages, he calls the decoy his girlfriend and even asks 'So if I come to Pennsylvania will I get set up' and 'what if you were to get pregnant before you turn 18 is all I'm saying.'
According to the affidavit, after days of conversation, Burns's messages became sexual. He also allegedly sent her photos of his privates and information about 'Romeo and Juliet Laws.' Police noted in their report that he also sent her photos of his truck and driver's license.
On Feb. 5, Burns made plans to meet the decoy at the Flying J truck stop on Allegheny Boulevard to have sex. Police arrived at the scheduled time and found Burns in the same car that he sent photos of. He was arrested and allegedly admitted to officers about attempting to meet the decoy for sex.
Yarnell is in the Jefferson County Prison with bail set at $100,000 and Burns has his bail set at $60,000. Both are facing felony charges of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and other related charges.
Burns has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 4.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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