WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA

29-year old, Pottstown resident, Carlton Bell was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year old girl he met on a dating app. Bell pled guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual abuse of children. Bell’s guilty plea took place back in April of this year. According to local news outlet, MyChesCo , Bell is a former volunteer firefighter.

The investigation into Bell began on December 24, 2019, when police were notified that a 14-year old had created a profile on the social media app, Grindr. The 14-year old met the defendant in September of 2019. The victim told the defendant that he was 15-years old. The defendant then asked the victim to use Snap Chat. The defendant told the teen to use Snap Chat because the messages disappear. Later, the two exchanged nude photos and arranged to meet for a sexual encounter.

On September 15, 2019, the defendant picked the victim up at his house in East Caln Township and drove him back to his residence in East Coventry Township. Police say the defendant engaged in sexual acts with the victim at that house.

Four days later, the defendant created a group chat on Snap Chat between the victim, a 16-year old, and a 17-year old. The defendant brought all three teens back to his place, where he engaged in sexual acts with all of them. The defendant was arrested on January 17, 2020.