18-Year-Old Student Faces Over 300 Felony Charges
McMURRAY, Pennsylvania — A Pennsylvania 12th grader is facing more than 300 felony charges after authorities accused him of operating a large-scale online scam network involving impersonation and sextortion targeting minors.
According to court records, Zachariah Abraham Meyers, 18, of McMurray, located about 15 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, was arrested Friday and indicted on over 300 charges, including trafficking of minors, sextortion, unlawful contact with a minor, dissemination of child sexual abuse material, and numerous other offenses.
Impersonation on TikTok and Snapchat to Target Victims
Police allege that Meyers, a senior at Peters Township High School, used social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to approach victims.
During the investigation, authorities interviewed 30 male teenagers and identified at least 21 victims. Officials allege Meyers used images of other individuals to impersonate them, including a false identity as a foreign adult film actress.
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly tricked and coerced teenagers into sending explicit photos and videos. Evidence seized from Meyers' phone is reportedly directly linked to the alleged activities.
Bail Denied by Court
Meyers is currently being held at Washington County Prison, awaiting a preliminary hearing. The court denied bail, determining that the defendant poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk.
School District Pledges Cooperation with Investigation
In a statement sent to local media, the Peters Township School District announced that police had informed them of the ongoing investigation. The district stated that police confirmed there was no immediate safety risk to the school, and pledged its continued full cooperation with law enforcement.
School district officials emphasized that the safety and well-being of students, staff, and families remain the top priority. The investigation is ongoing, and legal proceedings will continue in the near future.
