A fourth person accused of soliciting children online, associated with the self-proclaimed Luzerne County Predator Catcher, has requested the highest court in Pennsylvania to review the legality of the criminal charges.
Attorney Nanda Palissery, representing Edward John Schicatano, 59, of Plains Township, submitted a rare King’s Bench petition to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, seeking intervention due to differing legal opinions regarding vigilante child sex operations across the state.
Earlier this week, Palissery filed the petition, following similar petitions from attorneys on behalf of three other defendants, challenging the legality of vigilante child sex stings.
Schicatano, Davenport, Albertson and Mitchell are among many individuals investigated by Musa Harris, who identifies himself as the Luzerne County Predator Catcher, for engaging in alleged online child solicitation activities in recent years.
District attorneys in Centre, Clearfield, and Dauphin counties have chosen not to prosecute adults caught by non-law enforcement vigilante groups or private citizens, in contrast to the actions taken by Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.
The legal dispute in Pennsylvania revolves around the definition of unlawful contact with a minor. Defense attorneys argue that the statute necessitates the involvement of a sworn law enforcement officer posing as a minor or an actual minor to support the charge.
Sanguedolce has previously defended the cases he has pursued by supplementing the charge of unlawful contact with a minor with the criminal offense of attempt.
Attorneys representing the four men filed the King’s Bench petitions after their requests to dismiss the cases against their clients were denied by Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough.
The King’s Bench power of the PA Supreme Court allows the highest appellate court to address an issue of immediate public importance in a pending case, according to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Vough has temporarily halted the cases of Schicatano, Davenport, Albertson, and Mitchell until the Supreme Court reaches a decision.
