BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — Authorities say a 22-year-old man in a sexual assault case attempted to disarm a Brookville Borough Police Officer and pulled the trigger during a struggle, firing one shot on Wednesday.
Court documents show the Brookville Police Department filed criminal charges against 22-year-old Adham Helmi, of Pittsburgh, in District Judge Gregory Bazylak’s office on Thursday, April 18.
According to a criminal complaint, Brookville Police officers received information that Adham Helmi made a reservation at a Brookville Borough motel from April 17 until April 18.
Officers also received information that the organization “814 Pred Hunters” has been talking with Helmi, posing as a 15-year-old juvenile, and planning to meet in Brookville Borough, and then go to a hotel.
814 Pred Hunters is an organization primarily based in Clearfield County that targets online predators attempting to solicit or engage in sexual activity with minor children. The organization establishes fake identities on different online social media sites, including Telegram, posing as underage females.
Officers met with a member of 814 Pred Hunters, who provided a copy of the text messages between Helmi and the presumed 15-year-old juvenile female, which began on Tuesday, March 26, the complaint states
During the conversations, the decoy almost immediately tells Helmi that she is 15 years old. Shortly thereafter, Helmi says he is 23 years old and is originally from Egypt, but is living in Pittsburgh. In a conversation dated March 31, the two exchange photos before Helmi asks the decoy if she has dated older guys. Helmi later says that he wants to “visit Brookville to explore around and meet with her,” the complaint indicates.
Helmi continues during several other conversations with the decoy, talking about drinking whiskey, and that he has a place in Shadyside where she can drink and “maybe use a fake ID or something,” the complaint notes.
The conversations then turn sexual as Helmi said he dreams about women having pillow fights in their underwear. In another conversation, Helmi asks the decoy about meeting on April 17 and asks several questions regarding sexual intercourse. He also talks about “teaching (the decoy) things” when they meet, according to the complaint.
In a conversation dated April 17, Helmi tells the decoy he looked up the age of consent in Pennsylvania, and it is 16. He then texts her again and asks if she wants to have sex, the complaint states.
As the text messages end, Helmi makes plans with the decoy to meet in Brookville Borough around 8:30 p.m. on April 17. Officers converged on the location as information was received that Helmi arrived and was standing in the parking lot. Chief Vince Markle approached Helmi and ordered him to get to the ground. Moments later, officers heard a gunshot fired, the complaint indicates.
Chief Markle later stated that he approached Helmi with his firearm in his right hand at a low ready position, held down beside his right thigh area. Helmi then grabbed the officer’s weapon and turned it towards his chest. Chief Markle was able to turn it away from his body and up into the air before Helmi pulled the trigger, firing one shot into a nearby building, according to the complaint.
Helmi was eventually taken into custody by Brookville Police Department officers and members of 814 Pred Hunters.
Helmi was arraigned on the following charges in front of Judge Bazylak at 11:33 a.m. on Thursday, April 18:
– Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
– IDSI Person Less Than 16 Yrs Age, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause or causes SBI to designated individuals, Felony 1
– Agg. Ind. Assault – Comp. Suffers Mental Dis., Felony 2
– Disarming Law Enforcement Officer – Without Lawful Authorization, Felony 3
– Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
– Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3
– Ind Asslt Person Less 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforce, Misdemeanor 2
Unable to post $200,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, at 11:45 a.m. with Judge Bazylak.
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