Four local men charged in child predator investigation

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Four Pennsylvania men are facing charges following an investigation into alleged child predator activity in the southeastern part of the state, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Shapiro's office announced charges against four men who he says solicited sex from an undercover agent who had posed as a 13 or 14-year-old minor.

Christopher Cook, 36, William Novitski, 28, Apithai Pikrohkit, 30, and Nafiz Tahmid, 27, have all been charged with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

Each of the men was taken into custody at a meeting location arranged by authorities.

Novitski and Pikrohkit are both King of Prussia residents, while Cook resides in York, and Tahmid resides in Philadelphia.

Bail for Cook, Pikrohkit and Tahmid was set at $75,000, with preliminary hearings set for August 25. Bail for Novitski was set at $125,000 and a preliminary hearing will be held September 1.

"These four defendants were seeking sex from children they met online," Attorney General Shapiro said. "Thanks to the relentless efforts of agents in our Child Predator Section, in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement, these predators have been arrested and taken off our streets. The Office of Attorney General has a zero tolerance policy for the sexual abuse of children."