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.
Police said Meyers used various social media platforms to victimize nearly two dozen underage victims with catfishing and extortion.
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 condensing the charges.
We have multiple crews covering this developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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