New Kensington police say sex offender recorded girl performing sex act
A convicted sex offender was in a relationship with a 17-year-old girl, impregnated her and took video of her performing a sex act, according to charges filed by New Kensington police.
Police charged Elmo Thomas Hartsfield III, 28, of New Kensington on Thursday with felony counts of filming a child in a sex act, prohibited contact with a minor for the purpose of sexual abuse, and possession of child pornography.
According to a criminal complaint against Hartsfield, the girl’s mother reported to police on Sept. 14 that her daughter was in a sexual relationship with an adult, identified as Hartsfield.
The woman told police her daughter was now 18 but the relationship started when she was a juvenile, which she suspects because her daughter was a month and a half pregnant to Hartsfield, making her 17 at the time of conception. The woman told police her daughter admitted that Hartsfield is the father.
Police verified through the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law site that Hartsfield is a Megan’s Law offender. According to the site, Hartsfield was convicted of sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography in August 2017 from offenses committed in August 2016.
Police spoke with Hartsfield’s state parole officer, who told police that Hartsfield has stipulations about being around juveniles and is not allowed to have internet access.
Police said the parole officer gave them Hartsfield’s cell phone. After getting a search warrant, police said they found a video on the phone showing the girl performing a sex act on Aug. 8, when she was 17.
Police said they also found a June 2 text message from the girl to Hartsfield in which she says her 18th birthday is in August, and indicating that they were having sex.
Hartsfield did not have an attorney listed in court records.
Hartsfield was being held in the Westmoreland County jail after being arraigned by New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr., who set Hartsfield’s bond at $40,000.
Hartsfield’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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