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Hastings was arraigned about 11 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Theodore J. Giglio. Clad in yellow prison garb and orange slippers, Hastings put his chin to his chest as he was led in handcuffs from the Scranton police prisoner transport van to the courtroom.
He closed his eyes as reporters asked him for comment.
Giglio set bail at $250,000.
According to an affidavit:
During his interview with White Haven police, Hastings told officers he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old Scranton boy. Five days later, Detective Vince Uher interviewed the teen, now 15, who told him he had met Hastings’ through the popular social networking Web site, www.MySpace.com and had sexual contact with him.
Uher then interviewed Hastings, who admitted having sex with the boy, “at least 10 times,” at his 1021 S. 9th Ave. home.
The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16.
Hastings said he told the boy not to tell anyone about what they were doing, “because he knew it was wrong and that he could get in trouble.”
Officers searched Hastings’ West Scranton home and seized his computer, videotapes and DVDs.
“We’re still actively in the middle of this investigation as far as what’s on that computer,” acting Detective Capt. Al Leoncini said.
Police also urged parents to check their children’s MySpace accounts to see if they had Hastings listed under their “friends.”
“There may be more victims out there,” Leoncini said. “Anyone with information regarding this individual, we would like them to call the detective bureau and speak with (Detective) Vince Uher.”
Uher’s number is 558-8323.
mkemeny@timesshamrock.com
