A Pottsville man is facing charges for failing to comply with Megan's Law after he used a fake name on Facebook.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Schuylkill Haven Police Department received a phone call from a complainant, who told police that a 17-year-old female was receiving Facebook messages from an account by the name of "Jason Monet". The person reporting the incident said the account was asking the teen to meet at Stoyer's Dam.
Schuylkill Haven Police responded to Stoyer's Dam and conducted a traffic stop on the man. Schuylkill Haven Police then requested help from the Pennsylvania State Police.
The man, identified as Jason Stephany, 36, of Pottsville was interviewed and the online conversation was investigated. It was found that Facebook messages were found not to be criminal in nature. During the interview, Stephany admitted to using a fake Facebook name that is not registered with the Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit.
As a result, Stephany was charged with two counts of felony failure to register with the State Police as required by Megan's Law.
On May 3, 2023, he was taken into custody and arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli who set bail at $50,000 (10%) cash bail.
Stephany spent one night in Schuylkill County Prison and posted bail on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Andrew J. Serina on July 11, 2023.