A collaboration between federal agents and Lancaster County investigators resulted in the arrest of an alleged child predator Saturday at Harrisburg International Airport.
Police intercepted a planned meeting between 27-year-old Stephen Chang, of California, and a 14-year-old Lancaster County girl.
Chang was taken into custody, without incident, at the airport and was charged Monday. The U.S. Attorney’s office charged Chang with three counts of travel with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct.
Lancaster County Detective George Bonilla will file additional counts of aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, and corruption of minors, regarding crimes prior to Friday.
Assistant District Attorney Janie Swinehart will prosecute the local charges.
Chang is being held at Dauphin County Prison without bail. At a hearing Monday, a federal judge found probable cause in the case and ordered Chang be detained.
Chang had interacted with the girl since August 2014, when she was 13. Chang met the girl in person on two occasions, in 2014 and 2015.
On Saturday, investigators made certain there was no chance Chang could physically contact her.
FBI agents were stationed at every stop of Chang’s destination trip, which culminated in his arrest early Saturday afternoon at HIA.
A team of Lancaster County detectives and prosecutors also were at the airport, and had surveillance on the girl. Dauphin County detectives also assisted at the airport.
“The fact this went as well as it did is a testament to the high level of cooperation we had between our office, our local officers, and the federal agencies,” Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said.
The investigation of Chang continues as police work to determine any additional charges, and if any other children were victims.
Officials, including Lancaster County’s computer forensic team, are scouring evidence of online interactions, including Facebook messages, conversations, and pages.
Chang is presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright