Man takes plea agreement for sending sexual messages to teen

Updated, May 16:

Jeffrey Chester Hockenberry pleaded guilty through a plea agreement to unlawful contact with a minor. His other charges were withdrawn, according to online court documents.

He was sentenced six to 23 months and 29 days in prison and 36 months probation.

Hockenberry  must also complete a care program, sex offender conditions and have no contact with the victim, documents state.

He also has to pay costs, fees and fines.

Previously reported, April 2018:

A Chambersburg man was charged on April 5 after allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a 17-year-old Highland Township girl.

As of April 16, Jeffrey Chester Hockenberry, 51, of the first block of South Main Street, Chambersburg, has a warrant issued for his arrest, according to an affidavit filed with District Judge Mark Beauchat.

The girl and her mother reported the incident to police in November 2017. The girl told police that Hockenberry was sending her messages through Facebook Messenger.

She said Hockenberry approached her at a Sheetz and began talking to her. The girl said he friended her on Facebook and she accepted, the affidavit states.

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Hockenberry allegedly sent messages to the girl from Nov. 5 to Nov. 12, which included him attempting to get nude photos of her, police said in the affidavit.

He also sent a photo in which the outline of his genitals was visible through his pants, the affidavit states.

Hockenberry also attempted to video chat with the girl, which she declined. 

After the interview with the girl, police documented the messages on her phone. 

On Nov. 24, police interviewed Hockenberry, who denied sending those messages at first, until police showed him printouts of the messages, police said in the affidavit.

He also denied knowing the girl was underage, but then admitted to police that the girl appeared to be young and in her teens.

Hockenberry was charged with criminal solicitation, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual abuse by communication with a minor, criminal use of a communication facility, dissemination of explicit sexual material to a minor and corruption on minors, according to online court documents. 

Hockenberry could not be reached for comment.