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A Pennsylvania high school senior is facing hundreds of charges after authorities accused him of running a “massive crime spree” that included rape and catfishing.
Zachariah Abraham Meyers, 18, of McMurray – about 15 miles southwest of Pittsburgh – was arrested on Friday and charged with more than 300 counts, including child trafficking, sexual exploitation, unlawful contact with a minor, distribution of sexual abuse material, among other charges, according to a court docket obtained by Fox News Digigi
Police allege Meyers, a senior at Peters Township High School, used social media, including TikTok and Snapchat, to lure victims into talking to him, according to local outlets WTAE and WPXI.
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View of Peters Township High School in McMurray, Pa. (Google Maps)
Investigators interviewed 30 young boys during the investigation and found at least 21 victims, WPXI reported.
Authorities say Meyers used other people’s photos to lure victims. One of the allegedly fake entries was that of an older immigrant movie star, according to WTAE and WPXI.
“Meyers was able to manipulate and coerce the male children into sending pornographic images and videos of themselves,” authorities said.
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Authorities say Meyers used other people’s photos to lure victims. (Getty Images)
Evidence found on Meyers’ phone allegedly linked him to the crime, WPXI reported.
Meyers is being held in the Washington County Jail pending a hearing.
He has been denied bail and is considered a danger to the public and a flight risk, according to court records.
In a statement provided to WTAE, the Peters Township School District said police notified the district of the ongoing investigation.
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Police said the student used social media platforms including TikTok and Snapchat to attract victims to contact him. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Police have indicated that there is no safety risk to our schools, and we will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation,” the Peters Township School District said in a statement.
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“The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority, and we appreciate all the efforts of the Peters Township Police Department in this matter.”
The Peters Township School District and the Peters Township Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
