FAMILY LAW DAILY NEWS

Motion Information Investigation: Pandemic Predators Replace: Delaware County Man Geoffrey Hines in Federal Custody

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) – The wheels of justice spin in the case of a Delaware County man accused of asking boys online during the pandemic.

Geoffrey Hines appeared in federal court on Friday for the making or attempting to make child pornography.

Federal authorities said his prey would be boys who play video games online.

A terrified mother, unwilling to be identified, watched her son play video games live online earlier this year.

Pandemic predators: Authorities say tips on child sex crimes have been in place since the COVID outbreak began

Then she captured a horrific sequence that was taking place from another room: her son undressed.

“What you are doing!?” said the mother.

“I don’t know,” said the boy.

Authorities said the man who spoke to this child and was looking for sexual gratification was Geoffrey Hines from Upper Darby.

He is charged with 29 federal sex offenses for producing or attempting to produce child pornography.

Authorities said Hines had targeted minors in gambling rooms, offering money and gambling credits when they undressed or engaged in sexual acts.

He would supposedly take them in secret.

RELATED: Contact the Action News Investigation Team

Anthony Somerville says his son is a victim who has been targeted.

“The guy wanted him to go into another room and take pictures of himself,” he said.

The Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force began investigating Hines earlier this year.

Detective Sgt. Ken Bellis said Hines targeted victims around the world and even used an online translator when the minors did not speak English.

“He was persistent. He can go after the child day after day.”

Hines has been behind bars on government charges since May. But the government has more severe penalties.

A judge on Friday ordered him to be held in federal detention until the trial.

You can see more of our in-depth report on this troubling case on our 6abc streaming TV apps.

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