HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Dauphin County man will serve up to 30 years in prison after admitting to his attempt to arrange a sexual encounter with what he believed to be a 15-year-old girl in 2023.
Jeffrey Pettinato, 62, of Derry Township, was actually communicating with an undercover officer posing as a teenaged girl online, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office. He allegedly offered $50 to $100 for various sex acts, discussed sexual topics, requested nude photos, and sent illicit images of himself to the "girl" he was communicating with, according to prosecutors.
Pettinato used a secret phone to conduct his communications, prosecutors said.
He was arrested on Oct. 27, 2023.
On July 1, Pettinato pleaded guilty to felony trafficking in individuals, criminal attempt to commit trafficking in individuals, solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child under age 16, solicitation to promote prostitution of a minor, and solicitation to promote prostitution of a minor (procuring inmate).
Dauphin County Judge Edward M. Marisco Jr. sentenced Pettinato to a prison term of 15 to 30 years, followed by three years of probation.
Pettinato will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
Detective Kevin Leiss of the Derry Township Police Department investigated the case, and the Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force prosecuted it. Senior Deputy District Attorney was the lead prosecutor.
