Erie man arrested on attempted trafficking charge involving 12-year-old

Pike County District Attorney investigators arrested 51-year-old Jason Sidener of Erie on July 21, 2026, charging him with criminal attempt in trafficking in individuals, criminal attempt of patronizing a victim of sexual servitude, two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and criminal attempt of rape of a child — all felonies. According to the affidavit, detectives learned Sidener was interested in “taboo,” willing to travel to engage in sexual contact with a 12-year-old for $470, and arrested him when he arrived; officers found $470 in cash and a small amount of a crystalline substance on him. District Attorney Ray Tonkin condemned the conduct; Magisterial District Judge Cristin Cavallaro denied bail and Sidener was held at the Pike County Correctional Facility pending a preliminary hearing set for August 4, 2026.