Pittsburgh man charged with attempting to solicit sex with preteen girl

A Pittsburgh man and business executive is accused of attempting to solicit sexwith a preteen girl.

Eric T. Gillespie, 57, is charged with using an online chat platform in an attempt to arrange a meeting with the girl in Lebanon County.

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Monday that felony charges were filed against Gillespie as a result of an investigation.

Sunday said an agent from his office posed as an adult in an online chat platform often used by offenders attempting to arrange meetings with children. The agent engaged in a conversation with Gillespie, who then attempted to arrange a meeting with the girl, Sunday said.

“Our Child Predator Section proactively uncovered this defendant who, under an online pseudonym, was lurking online to access children,” Sunday said. “This case is yet another example of the dangers that exist online in anonymous chat platforms and other communication venues.”

Gillespie is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

He was arraigned before District Judge Maria M. Dissinger in Lebanon County and was placed in the Lebanon County Jail. Bail was denied because of flight risk and public safety concerns, Sunday said. Gillespie faces a Nov. 20 preliminary hearing in Lebanon County.

Online court documents didn’t list an attorney for Gillespie. He is the founder and executive chairman of Govini, a defense software company with offices in Arlington, Va., and Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood.

In an October news release, the company announced it had surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue.

A Govini representative couldn’t be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General at 800-385-1044.