LANCASTER, PA — Grzegorz Marzec, a 45-year-old man from Ephrata, was sentenced to 11-23 months in prison on Wednesday after he was caught attempting to pay for sex with a minor. The arrest was the result of an elaborate sting operation conducted by the Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Marzec, a resident of the 100 block of Ridge Ave, admitted guilt to charges that he agreed to pay $100 for sex and solicited nude photos and videos from an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old girl.
“This was not a spur-of-the-moment event for the defendant,” said Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick. “It was measured. He was fully aware of what he was doing.”
Marzec pled guilty to attempted statutory sexual assault (11 years older), soliciting photographs/film depicting sex acts from a child, attempt to patronize a victim of sexual servitude, and criminal use of a communication facility.
The presiding Judge Reinaker expressed concern over the interaction between Marzec and the undercover officer. Marzec had confirmed the age of the ‘girl’ and asked multiple times if she was still available. “There is an element to this back and forth that is very concerning,” said Judge Reinaker.
The Human Trafficking Task Force conducted an undercover detail in June 2022 with a focus on the online solicitation of minors for sex. Marzec responded to an online advertisement and began communicating with an undercover HTTF detective posing as a family member of a 13-year-old female. He agreed to pay $100 to have sex with the minor.
In addition to his prison term, Marzec was sentenced to another six years of probation and must register as a sex offender with the Pennsylvania State Police for the rest of his life. His defense counsel had asked for a long probation sentence.
East Hempfield Township Police Detective Ryan Kelly filed the charges against Marzec.
This case underlines the diligent work of law enforcement agencies like the Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force in safeguarding minors from sexual exploitation. It also emphasizes the significance of community awareness and vigilance in combating such appalling crimes.
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