Facebook ‘Friend’ charged with assaulting 2 teens at park

A Lititz man courted a pair of teenage sisters on a social-networking website, then assaulted them at a community park.

Police allege Kevin P. Yorgey, 42, used Facebook to contact the girls — ages 14 and 11 — eventually obtaining their phone numbers.

That contact led to an arranged meeting in June at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz police Detective John Schofield said Friday.

It was there that Yorgey touched both of the girls in a sexual manner, Schofield said.

The detective arrested Yorgey on Thursday and charged him with five felonies and three misdemeanors.

Yorgey moved to Lititz within the past year and targeted the sisters after finding their Facebook profiles, police said.

“Facebook is becoming a very big problem,” Schofield said. “It’s making it easier to reach out and communicate with kids.

“These young kids don’t realize the danger when they talk online. Before they know it they are making plans to meet someone.”

Schofield said the girls agreed to meet Yorgey to “appease” him. They were fearful he’d get angry if they didn’t show up, the detective said.

The sisters’ parents contacted police after finding illicit text messages on one girl’s cell phone.

Yorgey is in Lancaster County Prison on $75,000 bail.

He is charged with indecent assault (three counts), unlawful contact with minors (two counts), corruption of minors (two counts) and criminal use of a computer.

The girls were aware that Yorgey was an older man, Schofield said. His Facebook profile didn’t include a photo, but there was personal information on it. On the site, Yorgey refers to himself as “Wolfman.”

His slogan on his profile is: “I sing karaoke. I also love to party as much as i can. SO basically im (sic) a guy thats (sic) looking to chat and have loads of fun.”

Yorgey found the girls’ profiles through other Facebook “friends,” police said.

bhambright@lnpnews.com

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Social networking sites could hurt job seekers

Facebook and LinkedIn have helped some job seekers find employment. But, what you put on your profile may not help, it could harm you.

We know the internet can be a helpful tool to find out information. Still, more and more companies are using that tool to dig into an applicant’s past, when considering hiring for a job.

You put the information on the internet. Chances are more eyes than you imagine, will see it. You may be even judged by it, if you’re looking for a job.

“Even though it might not be a stipulation on a resume, if you do have a Facebook profile, the point is it’s going to be out there for anyone to look at,” said Sunshine Barron, Branch Manager for AppleOne.

Sunshine Barron says some employers are now doing social media background checks.

Companies like Social Intelligence are scouring the internet looking for everything prospective employees might have said or done online in the past seven years.

Social Intelligence is based in Santa Barbara. Employees hire the company to look for pictures or information that may not be in the best taste.

“You don’t put your personal information on there cause it can harm you, and your pictures on there, people do not realize how much it can harm you,” said Michelle Fitch, AppleOne employee.

Michelle Fitch submitted her LinkedIn page when applying for her job at AppleOne.

Some privacy advocates believe the information may not be relevant to job performance.

“Then if they do they are responsible for getting both sides of the story. You can’t forever sit and dig into somebody’s life, and nobody should be obligated to run around and say no that didn’t happen,” said Bakersfield resident Cindi Wade.

“You might as well get a tattoo. It’s on you, that’s the world we live with today,” added Tom Bridges.

A world with an already tough job market and yet another hurdle when trying to land a new job.

The Federal Trade Commission raised concerns about companies like Social Intelligence. However, it later determined the company is in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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