A Lehigh County man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly attempting to meet what he believed was a 15-year-old girl in Mahanoy City for a sexual encounter, according to court documents filed this week.
Robert C. Matthews, 37, of Germansville, was charged by Mahanoy City Police with Criminal Attempt to Commit Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Corruption of Minors, and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility. The charges stem from an undercover operation conducted by Mahanoy City Police Chief Thomas Rentschler on March 23, 2026.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Chief Rentschler was conducting an investigation into online sexual predators while posing as a teenage female on the MeetMe social networking application. The profile directed users to contact the undercover account through the Kik messaging app.
Police say Matthews initiated contact through Kik and allegedly made sexually explicit comments shortly after beginning the conversation. Investigators said Matthews sent a nude photograph of himself and expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity. After being informed that the individual was 15 years old, Matthews allegedly continued the conversation and discussed meeting in person.
According to the complaint, Matthews allegedly asked for additional photographs, made sexual comments, and arranged to travel to Mahanoy City. Police said he provided updates on his location while driving from the Lansford area and agreed to meet at the Cocoa Hut on East Centre Street.
Authorities stated that Matthews arrived at the designated location in a multicolored Toyota sedan and sent a message indicating he was parked near the 123 Café. Officers then approached the vehicle and took Matthews into custody without incident.
Following his arrest, Matthews was transported to police headquarters, where investigators say he waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with officers. According to the affidavit, Matthews acknowledged that he should have stopped communicating after learning the purported girl was 15 years old and admitted that "red flags" had gone off during the conversation. Police also reported that Matthews consented to a search of his cellphone, where investigators found the Kik conversation.
Court records show Matthews was formally charged on June 23, 2026. He was arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker, who set bail at $100,000 cash. Matthews was unable to post bail and was committed to Schuylkill County Prison.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 2, 2026.