Pennsylvania Man Charged with Grooming Minor Victim at Castaic Motel

Authorities say the 18-year-old suspect encouraged the 13-year-old girl to send explicit material and self-harm.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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An 18-year-old Pennsylvania man has been arrested and federally charged after allegedly grooming a 13-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit material of herself and images of self-harm over the internet. Matthew Edward Pysher is accused of traveling to a Castaic, California motel to engage in sexual activity with the victim, where law enforcement rescued her and found evidence of the alleged abuse.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threat of online predators targeting vulnerable minors through manipulation, coercion, and the spread of violent extremist ideologies. It underscores the importance of parental supervision and the need for continued law enforcement vigilance in combating the exploitation of children.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, Pysher groomed the victim over several months, encouraging her to send sexually explicit material and self-harm. On February 20, Pysher traveled from Pennsylvania to California and met the victim near her home, taking her to a Castaic motel. When law enforcement arrived, they found Pysher and the victim, as well as evidence including condoms, a knife, razor blades, and a faraday bag commonly used to block electronic signals.

  • From at least December 2025 until February 20, 2026, Pysher allegedly groomed and encouraged the victim.
  • On February 10, 2026, the victim's mother contacted the FBI with concerns about her daughter being encouraged to self-harm.
  • On February 20, 2026, Pysher traveled to Los Angeles and met the victim at a Castaic motel, where law enforcement rescued her.

The players

Matthew Edward Pysher

An 18-year-old man from Bangor, Pennsylvania who has been charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli

A federal prosecutor who stated that the facts in the case are "chilling" and warned parents to keep their children offline.

Akil Davis

The Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, who said the suspect is one of a "growing number of alleged nihilistic violent extremists who prey on children."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna

The sheriff who said online exploitation of children "has absolutely no place in our communities" and praised the "swift and coordinated efforts of local and federal law enforcement" in this case.

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What they’re saying

“The facts charged in this case are chilling. If your children have access to use the internet, sadistic predators may have access to your kids. Law enforcement will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who seek to harm children. We advise parents to keep their kids offline.”

— Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney

“Violent online exploitation that targets our children through manipulation, coercion, and fear has absolutely no place in our communities, whether on our streets or behind a computer screen.”

— Robert G. Luna, Los Angeles County Sheriff

What’s next

Pysher is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Los Angeles. The judge will decide whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the urgent need for greater online safety measures, parental vigilance, and law enforcement cooperation to protect vulnerable children from predators exploiting the internet to groom and abuse them.