BENSALEM, Pa. — A 49-year-old man from Westchester, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody Tuesday in Bensalem Township following an undercover investigation involving online communication that led to an in-person meeting.
Anthony Dillard, listed as a Tier 3 lifetime Megan’s Law offender due to a 2016 conviction, was arrested on May 27 after arriving at a location in Bensalem where he had arranged to meet who he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The individual he had been communicating with over several weeks was, in fact, an undercover officer.
According to police, Dillard initiated the conversation through a dating application on April 5. Over time, he continued communicating and eventually discussed meeting in person. He had previously traveled to Bensalem on May 1, but the meeting did not take place.
When Dillard returned on May 27, officers were waiting for him. He was taken into custody without incident. Authorities said a bottle of vodka was found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest. No minor was involved at any point, and officials confirmed there was never a threat to public safety.
Multiple charges filed after undercover operation
Dillard is facing several charges, including unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as attempted offenses related to the planned meeting.
He was arraigned by District Justice Joseph Falcone and is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $30 million bail.
The arrest is part of an ongoing effort by Bensalem Police to identify and intervene in cases involving potential threats to children and community safety.
