Task force nets suspect

Man charged after trying to meet minor for sex in Conshohocken

CONSHOHOCKEN » A Philadelphia man is facing charges of attempted sexual assault of a minor and other offences after being caught in an operation conducted by officers from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on Jan. 17.

Donovan Lamar Early, 28, was taken into custody while allegedly trying to meet at the Marriott Residence Inn, 191 Washington St., for sex with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

The operation began Jan. 15 when members of the task force

from the Conshohocken and East Norriton police departments entered a post on the casual encounters section of Craigslist.

A man later identified as Early reportedly responded and began carrying on conversations via text after the “girl” he was corresponding with told him “she” was 14.

According to the arresting affidavit, Early reportedly tried to confirm that he was talking to a real person and at one point expressed misgivings, texting “Idk, u real young,” but soon overcame his compunction and started unwittingly sending detectives pictures of what he claimed were his privates.

He then reportedly engaged in explicit sexual banter with the “girl” and made arrangements to meet her at the hotel.

Early was apprehended as he approached the hotel after getting off of a train at Conshohocken Station.

He reportedly had a condom and a small amount of marijuana on him when he was taken into custody.

Early was charged with attempted statutory sexual assault, attempted involuntary deviate intercourse, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility.

He was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post $150,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing before District Judge Deborah Lukens is scheduled for Jan. 31.