Charleroi man accused of luring three young girls through Snapchat
Police say Brandon Johnson, 35, drove girls to a Connellsville hotel
Police say Brandon Johnson, 35, drove girls to a Connellsville hotel
Police say Brandon Johnson, 35, drove girls to a Connellsville hotel
Connellsville police said a 35-year-old Charleroi man used Snapchat to lure three young girls to an area hotel last weekend.
According to police, Brandon Johnson reached out to the young girls, ages 12, 13 and 13, through Snapchat and convinced them to meet him at the McDonald's in Connellsville on Saturday afternoon.
Police said, once the girls arrived, Johnson convinced them to get in his vehicle in exchange for alcohol and drove them to a nearby hotel.
Court documents claim Johnson offered the girls money in exchange for sex, and that's when police said the girls distracted Johnson and ran for help.
"It was a matter of minutes that they were in there before the girls realized the situation they had gotten themselves in and found their way out," Cpl. Bryan Kendi said.
Johnson was arrested a short time later after police were able to identify him as the suspect.
Police said this is another example of the dangers that can come from teens and children using social media.
"If you're going to allow that access, you have to be on it," Kendi said. "Otherwise, this is what happens. There are predators in the world and they are looking for the slightest slip-up."
Johnson is facing multiple felony charges, including kidnapping. A judge denied Johnson bail and he is being held in the Fayette County jail.