Waynesburg resident Brandon Brumley, 33, was arrested Monday night at the Fort Mason Village housing development following a coordinated sting operation by the Masontown Police Department and the online group 814 PredHunters.
Investigation and decoy operation
Over the past two months, court documents show Brumley exchanged text messages with a decoy from 814 PredHunters who was posing as a 15‑year‑old girl. In those messages, Brumley requested and received naked photographs and arranged to meet the decoy for sexual activity.
On Oct. 7, the 814 PredHunters group presented their chat logs to Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele. Aubele referred the matter to Masontown police for further investigation.
Police set up the meeting
Masontown Police Chief Thomas O’Barto, acting as the decoy, arranged a meeting at Fort Mason Village. According to the district attorney’s release, Brumley arrived expecting a sexual encounter that would also involve illegal drugs.
When Brumley reached the location, officers moved quickly to place him under arrest.
Charges and court proceedings
Brumley now faces multiple charges, including unlawful contact with a minor, sexual exploitation of children, criminal use of a telecommunications facility, dissemination of sexual materials to a minor, and corruption of minors.
Judge Nathan Henning denied bail, describing Brumley as a threat to himself and others and noting that additional charges are pending. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.
Community response
The operation underscores the collaboration between local law enforcement and community‑based watchdog groups in protecting children from online predators. Fayette County officials emphasized the importance of vigilance and rapid response when dealing with attempts to exploit minors.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
