AG: Butler Co. man accused of operating Facebook identity scheme targeting girls

PITTSBURGH – Attorney General Linda Kelly announced Friday the filing of a series of felony charges against a Butler County man accused of using Facebook to operate an elaborate false identity scheme that was used to solicit young girls for explicit photos or meetings for sex.

Kelly identified the defendant as used car salesman William Ainsworth, 53.

Kelly said the investigation by the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit began in September after agents received information that Ainsworth had traveled to the home of a 14-year old girl in Butler County in order to engage in various sex acts.

Ainsworth was arrested at that time and held on numerous criminal charges related to that alleged meeting.

"We quickly discovered that there was much more to this case than the sexual solicitation of one girl," Kelly said. "What we found was an intricate web of false Facebook identities that were used to establish online relationships with vulnerable girls, who were then manipulated into sending nude photos to Ainsworth -- believing he was a young surfer living in Florida -- or physically meeting Ainsworth for sex -- under the impression that those sexual encounters would help raise money so the girls could run away to Florida to be with their new online friend."

Kelly urged parents to use this case as a reason to have serious conversations with their children about online social networking sites like Facebook, especially concerning predators who may manipulate these sites to victimize children.

"It is important to emphasize that the people you meet online may not always be who they say, and may actually be looking for something far more than just 'friendship,'" Kelly said. "The things you say, the photos you post and your other online activities may be twisted against you in a sinister manner."

Ainsworth is accused of indecent contact with seven victims ranging in age from 13 to 15, authorities said.

Kelly said police have interviewed more than 30 kids, served 18 search warrants and gone through thousands of pages of messages throughout the investigation.

Ainsworth faces a total of 81 felony charges.