Pennsylvania high school student charged in ‘sextortion’ scheme to appear in court Friday

A Peters Township High School senior charged with running a “sextortion” scheme was denied bail again.

Zachariah Meyers, 18, appeared in court Friday, a week after a judge first denied him bail, calling him a “danger to society.”

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Only Channel 11 was there when the Peters Township senior class president was arrested.

Meyers is accused of catfishing and sextorting nearly two dozen teenagers. Investigators say he posed online as a young woman, then allegedly blackmailed victims into sending explicit photos and videos.

He faced more than 300 felony charges, including sex trafficking and possessing child pornography, but on Friday, that was dropped to only 67.

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The defense argued that Meyers should be released, with his access to the internet and all devices removed. But the judge said anybody could visit him with a cellphone, and then he’d have access again.

Additionally, the defense argued that Meyers’ whole family lives in Peters Township, so he’s not a flight risk. The judge, however, said the number of charges makes him a flight risk.

While the defense considers the lowering of Meyers’ charges a win, the district attorney says it’s just a matter of condensing the charges.

“It’s a big case, it’s a horrific case and the investigation is ongoing,” District Attorney Jason Walsh said.

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Defense attorney Lisle Weaver is representing Meyers. She said he understands the severity of the charges.

“Our client is taking this extremely seriously,” Weaver said. “He’s 18 years old. He’s more composed than most of my clients who are older than him. He understands the severity of the situation.”

There was a heavy police presence in the courtroom Friday, including detectives from Peters Township and the district attorney’s office, who’ve been working the case.

No victims or their parents were in court. It was decided Thursday night that Meyers would waive his right to a preliminary hearing, so none of them had to show up or testify.

“This prelim, involving many alleged victims — all juveniles — would have been a grueling, days-long hearing with the victims subject to cross-examination," Weaver said. “Both parties recognized that would have been traumatizing.”

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