Tip on child endangerment suspect leads to arrest of registered sex offenders in Allegheny County

A tip on the location of a child endangerment suspect led to the arrest of several sex offenders, according to Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus.

Detectives from the sheriff’s office received information that Joseph Neidermeyer, 34, wanted by Ohio Township police on charges of endangering the welfare of children and simple assault, was living in a motel on Route 60. He was found at a business on Route 60 on Monday night, Kraus said in a news release. Neidermeyer was with Lee Chew, a registered sexually violent predator who just left a treatment facility called the Renewal Center without permission and had a state parole detainer.

“That’s pretty crazy especially around here,” said Xavier Mendez.

After arresting Neidermeyer and Chew, detectives developed information that two additional sex offenders who had left a treatment facility and had state parole detainers were also at the motel on Route 60. They found Amber Avery and Anthony Ditton.

“It’s definitely scary. There are a lot of kids, families that live around here and stuff,” said Mendez.

All four were taken into custody without incident and Chew, Avery and Ditton were charged with failure to register under Megan’s Law.

“For a woman who lives by themselves that’s disturbing,” said Amy Buchman.

In an unrelated matter, detectives also arrested Chad Coyne Monday night in Glassport. Coyne, who is also a registered sex offender, was taken into custody for violating probation. All five were taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Channel 11 called all three motels along Route 60. They all denied the bust happened at their location. The Renewal Center said the three offenders escaped in early October. They were all wearing ankle bands, but the batteries died. The center said they followed all protocols. However, when situations like this happen, they always review it to make sure they followed proper procedures.

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