Police: Pennsylvania man tries to meet with minor, steals officer’s gun

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Pittsburgh man is facing felony charges after allegedly trying to meet a minor and attempting to take a gun from the officer who arrested him.

Adham Helmi, 22, is facing a felony charge of statutory sexual assault after police were informed by 814 Pred Hunters that he had been communicating sexually with a decoy posing as a 15-year-old girl. Helmi and the decoy had allegedly made plans to meet at a hotel on April 17 so they could have sex.

Helmi had first messaged the decoy in March, where he had messaged her asking how she was and what she was looking for. During another conversation, the decoy tells Helmi that she is 15 years old, to which Helmi replied that he is 23 and originally from Egypt, according to the criminal complaint.

On March 31, Helmi messaged the decoy asking if she had ever dated older guys, which the decoy said yes to. Helmi then asked how old she had been with and the decoy responded “32.” He then asks, “Isn’t this like, illegal here? I mean you are 15 not 18.” Later on in the conversation Helmi allegedly asks to meet the decoy.

In a different conversation, Helmi once again mentioned that he wanted to meet the decoy and that they could “drink and smoke” together and hang out, according to the complaint. He then allegedly asked the decoy the type of things she is into when it comes to having sexual intercourse and told her he could teach her a few things when they meet up.

Helmi then told the decoy that he looked up the age of consent in Pennsylvania, which is 18, and sent a follow-up message asking if she still wanted to have sex with him, according to the complaint.

On April 17, Helmi arrived to allegedly meet with the decoy and was confronted by both police and members of 814 Pred Hunters. When approached, Helmi allegedly grabbed one of the officer’s guns and pointed it at the officer’s chest. A fight for the gun ensued and the officer was able to get the weapon away from Helmi.

During the fight, Helmi allegedly pulled the trigger, firing one shot into the nearby store. No injuries were reported.

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Helmi is now facing a felony charge of statutory sexual assault, a felony charge of aggravated indecent assault, a felony charge of disarming a law enforcement officer and other related charges.

He is currently in the Jefferson County Prison after failing to post his $200,000 bail.

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