Pennsylvania police officer, 29, is charged with 18 counts of child sex crimes after luring youngsters using Gen Z app
- Tamaqua Police Officer Christopher Cordes was charged Friday
- He is accused of collecting child abuse material and having sex with dogs
a Pennsylvania police officer has been accused of using Snapchat to lure children and ask for child abuse material.
Christopher Cordes, 29, of the Tamaqua Police Department was charged Friday with 18 counts of child molestation as prosecutors accuse him of sharing inappropriate images of children on social media.
A search warrant for Cordes’ Snapchat account reportedly turned up conversations in which the officer described his sexual attraction to children.
Cordes also allegedly admitted to participating in sex acts with dogs in a Snapchat conversation, as reported by WNEP. He faces three felony charges of sexual intercourse with animals.
The officer used the username “haytherecowboy” on Snapchat, where prosecutors say he wanted to get a 13-year-old boy pregnant.
29-year-old Christopher Cordes of the Tamaqua Police Department was charged with 18 counts of child abuse. He also faces three felony charges of sexual intercourse with animals
An investigation was launched after the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from Snap Inc. about a user who posted a nude photo of a child.
A witness told investigators that Cordes allegedly said in 2021 that he wanted to have children so he could abuse them.
Cordes said he could get away with it because he was a police officer, the witness said.
The witness said Cordes gave her a sexually transmitted disease and sent her $150 for treatment, according to an affidavit.
Tamaqua Police Chief Michael Hobbs said in a statement: “We are not aware of any allegations of inappropriate activity while Officer Cordes was on duty.”
Tamaqua Police Chief Michael Hobbs said in a statement: “We are not aware of any allegations of inappropriate activity while Officer Cordes was on duty.
“At this time, Officer Cordes has been suspended indefinitely, without pay, for conduct unbecoming a police officer.”
Cordes, who joined the force in 2021, is being held on $250,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 12.
Tamaqua resident Karyl Paisley told WNEP she was “shocked” by the allegations against Cordes.
“If he did it, he deserves to be charged.”
