WAYNESBORO, Pa. — A Waynesboro man is facing potential time behind bars for allegedly sexually exploiting a teen.
Paul Wolfe, 57, is accused of grooming and soliciting explicit pictures from a 17-year-old he met at Sheetz.
The Waynesboro Police Department began its investigation in February 2024 after receiving a tip from Franklin County Children and Youth Services, according to a criminal complaint. During a previous interview with Youth Services, the victim allegedly shared that she met Wolfe at a Sheetz in Waynesboro during the summer of 2023. They did not see each other from approximately Thanksgiving 2023 until New Year's Day 2024, the victim said.
The victim also reported that Wolfe sexually assaulted them at his home on or around around Feb. 1
Officers executed a search warrant on Wolfe's phone, allegedly finding several thousand messages between Wolfe and the victim from Jan. 30 to Feb. 17. Some of the messages were sexual in nature and some were explicit photos that appeared to be of the victim, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Investigators also allegedly discovered messages in which Wolfe encouraged the victim to send him illicit pictures.
Wolfe is charged with two counts of child pornography and one count each of criminal use of communication facility, corruption of minors and contact/communicate with minor - sexual abuse.
Court documents show that Wolfe was arrested on June 21 and remains in the Franklin County Prison, unable to post bail. He is next scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 2.
