Feds Arrest Man Accused of Luring Teen to Motel in Cross-Country Plot

A Pennsylvania man accused of grooming a 13-year-old girl online was taken into custody in Southern 🌴California after investigators tracked him to a motel where they say he had arranged to meet her.

According to the New York Post, federal officials said the case unfolded quickly when the child left home and left a note, prompting an urgent search by law enforcement. 

Agents identified the suspect, Matthew Edward Pysher, 18, and located the motel room, where both the girl and the man were found.

Authorities allege the Pysher had been communicating with the minor for more than two months in an internet chatroom and traveled from Philadelphia to Los Angeles to meet her.

“In that motel they found the victim. They found the defendant. They found a knife,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, describing the items recovered during the arrest.

Officials said additional materials were also collected from the room as part of the investigation.

Pysher was taken into custody without incident and now faces federal charges.

Prosecutors say the case began when the girl’s mother discovered concerning messages on her daughter’s phone and contacted law enforcement.

Federal investigators said Pysher used an online alias while communicating with the minor and encouraged harmful behavior, which raised alarms for both family members and authorities.