A 34 year-old man was arrested Tuesday in Reading after police said he tried to meet with a “13 year-old girl” who was actually a police officer posing as a teen online.
According to the Reading Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, Jeremy Kreiser contacted an undercover police social media account on Monday, January 10, 2022, and engaged in an inappropriate conversation with a law enforcement officer posing as a 13 year-old female.
During the conversation, Police say Kreiser also identified himself as working as a contractor at Reading Elementary Schools.
Police noted that Kreiser is a private construction contractor and not an employee of the Reading School District.
On Tuesday, January 11, Police setup an undercover sting operation where Kreiser attempted to lure the 13 year old female into meeting him outside of the elementary school where he was working.
Police say when Kreiser took physical steps towards meeting the juvenile he was taken into custody and the School District was immediately informed of the situation.
Investigators say they took immediate action in the case to apprehend Kreiser as quickly as possible and remove to him from the Schools.
Kreiser is being charged with Attempted Unlawful Contact of a Minor and attempted indecent assault.
“The safety and security of our students is our top priority. We thank the Reading Police Department for their proactive investigation to keep our children safe from online predators” reads a statement from Reading School District.
Per district policy, contractors are required to submit clearances for all employees and subcontractors prior to beginning work on a RSD project.
The district confirmed this long-standing process was followed, and there was nothing included in Kreiser’s clearances that would have prevented him from working with the construction firm on the school district project.
“It takes all of us working together to ensure a safer community, and today law enforcement worked with school officials to keep us all safe. Any information about a potential danger to students or staff should be shared immediately with our school offices, Superintendent Office or Reading Police Department who will investigate immediately” said district officials in the statement.
