A 29-year-old man from Kentucky has been charged with sex trafficking a 13-year-old Pennsylvania girl after posing as a teenager on Snapchat and orchestrating sexual encounters with adult men.
At a Glance
- Zachary McCauley, 29, from Louisville, Kentucky, posed as a 17-year-old boy named “Jake” on Snapchat to coerce a 13-year-old girl from Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- McCauley used grooming tactics, threats against the girl’s mother, and created a fake ID for the victim to set up encounters with men through Grindr
- Two men, Jon Thomas Van Ingen, 67, and Randy Francis Quinn, 42, have been arrested for sexually assaulting the girl, while a third potential perpetrator backed off after realizing her age
- The investigation began after the victim’s mother discovered explicit content on her daughter’s devices and reported it to authorities
- McCauley faces multiple serious charges including trafficking, sexual exploitation, and corruption of minors
Online Predator Crossed State Lines to Traffic Young Victim
Authorities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania have charged Zachary McCauley, 29, of Louisville, Kentucky, with multiple offenses related to the sex trafficking of a 13-year-old girl. According to investigators, McCauley impersonated a 17-year-old boy named “Jake” on Snapchat and used the platform to gain the victim’s trust before manipulating her into sexual exploitation. The investigation, which began in February 2025, revealed a disturbing pattern of manipulation that led to the victim being coerced into sexual encounters with adult men.
McCauley employed a combination of grooming and intimidation tactics to gain control over the girl. After establishing a relationship by posing as a teenager, he began threatening to harm the victim’s mother if she didn’t comply with his demands. This escalation allowed him to force the girl to create a profile on the dating app Grindr, where he would then arrange encounters with adult men on her behalf. Investigators say McCauley even created a fake ID for the victim to make her appear older to potential “clients.”
Multiple Arrests Made as Investigation Continues
Following the investigation, authorities arrested two men who allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim. Jon Thomas Van Ingen, 67, and Randy Francis Quinn, 42, both face charges related to statutory sexual assault and child pornography. Both men have been released on bail pending further court proceedings. McCauley remains in custody in Kentucky, awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to face numerous serious charges including trafficking in minors, sexual exploitation of children, and corruption of minors.
“He used grooming tactics to lower her inhibition, and then those tactics evolved into threatening to inflict harm upon her mother if she did not comply with his demands.” said Jennifer Schorn.
Investigators noted that a third man had also been arranged to meet with the victim, but abandoned the encounter upon realizing she was underage. This individual has not been charged but may be cooperating with authorities as they continue to investigate whether McCauley victimized other children using similar methods. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn emphasized that the investigation remains “very much active.”
Mother’s Vigilance Key to Uncovering Crimes
The investigation began when the victim’s mother discovered disturbing content on her daughter’s electronic devices. After finding explicit images and videos, she immediately contacted police, who then traced the activity back to McCauley. After seeing a press conference about a related case, the mother contacted the Bucks County District Attorney’s office, leading to the broader investigation and subsequent arrests.
“I praise the mother in this case because her instincts were correct. And I praise the victim in this case, she is only 13 years of age, and she is so strong and she is not to be blamed for what occurred. These cases cannot succeed without the amazing team of county detectives and the other detectives throughout Bucks County who make up our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. They use the resources and their expertise to battle these crimes every single day.” said Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn.
This case highlights the critical importance of parental vigilance regarding children’s online activities. District Attorney Schorn specifically pointed to the anonymity afforded by social media platforms as a tool that predators exploit to target vulnerable young people. Law enforcement officials urge parents to actively monitor their children’s internet and smartphone use, maintain open communication about online safety, and be alert to behavioral changes that might indicate exploitation or abuse.
