Somerset, MA and Pennsylvania investigation on sextortion leads to arrest on multiple charges

Somerset Police Chief William Tedford reports that, for the second time this week, the Somerset Police Department Detective Division has arrested a suspect in a Somerset child enticement case with assistance from the Swissvale Braddock Hills Regional Police Department in Pennsylvania.

In December 2025, the Somerset Police Department’s Patrol Division received a report that a Somerset juvenile had been victimized by activity referred to as “sextortion” through the Discord and Telegram social media platforms. Following the initial report, Detective Donald Cormier was assigned to lead the investigation.

Through court-ordered search warrants, investigators determined that the suspect, who used the online moniker “Ollie,” had engaged in unlawful online interactions with multiple presumed juveniles from various states. The suspect also sent sexually explicit items to the juvenile’s Somerset home address through the Amazon service.

Upon recognizing behavior consistent with online “grooming,” Detective Cormier began communicating with “Ollie” in an undercover capacity, assuming the role of a 14-year-old juvenile. During these communications, “Ollie” sent sexually explicit images to the undercover detective and requested, but did not receive, similar content in return.

Probable cause was ultimately developed identifying 22-year-old Sean Melko of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, as the individual using the “Ollie” moniker. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained from Fall River District Court for the following charges:

• One count of Extortion by Threat of Injury

• One count of Child in Nude, Lascivious Pose/Exhibit

• Five counts of Dissemination of Obscene Matter to a Minor

• One count of Enticing a Child Under 16

• One count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child

On March 9, 2026, officers from the Swissvale Braddock Hills Regional Police Department in Pennsylvania arrested Melko based on the arrest warrant obtained by Detective Cormier. After the arrest, officers executed a search warrant at Melko’s residence. Any additional evidence discovered during that search will be prosecuted by Pennsylvania authorities.

Melko will be transported to Massachusetts at a later date to face the criminal charges listed above.

Chief Tedford would like to thank Officer Ryan Waros and the members of the Swissvale Braddock Hills Regional Police Department as well as detective Ryan dinizio of University of Pittsburgh Police Department for their assistance in apprehending Melko, whose arrest likely prevented additional children from becoming victims.