A 76-year-old Hatboro man has been charged after police say he attempted to solicit sexual acts from a teenage girl following an encounter while she was walking her dog last week.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Hatboro Police Chief Mark Ruegg announced the arrest of Dennis Reilly, 76, of Hatboro, in connection with the alleged incident involving a 15-year-old girl.
According to Hatboro police, the investigation began Feb. 26 when two adults went to the police station to report a concerning interaction involving the teenager. The adults told officers the girl had been walking her dog with her younger sister when a man approached them and offered each girl $100 in exchange for photographs of their feet. After the encounter, the girl began receiving text messages from the man requesting additional photos.
Police reviewed the messages on the girl’s cellphone and a Hatboro detective then assumed control of the phone, posing as the teenager while continuing the conversation, authorities said.
During the exchange, investigators allege Reilly offered $300 to meet the girl for sexual activity and arranged to meet her later that day at the Wawa on South York Road in Hatboro. Police said Reilly indicated they would go to his residence afterward and referenced using protection.
When Reilly arrived at the agreed-upon meeting location Feb. 26, officers met and interviewed him and seized his cellphone, according to authorities. He was arrested the following day.
Reilly has been charged with trafficking in individuals by recruiting or soliciting, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal solicitation for statutory sexual assault, criminal use of a communication facility and related offenses. He was arraigned Feb. 27 and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Following a bail review hearing March 2 in Montgomery County Court, bail was set at $99,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 12 before Magisterial District Judge Todd Stephens.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Margot Weitz of the county’s Family Protection Unit.
Hatboro police are asking anyone who may have had a similar encounter involving Reilly to contact the department at 215-675-2832.
