A Pennsylvania high schooler is facing hundreds of felony charges after being accused of running a massive “catfishing” and “sextortion” scheme

Pennsylvania high school senior accused of running ‘large-scale’ catfishing, sextortion scheme (Image: WPXI)
A Pennsylvania high schooler is facing hundreds of felony charges after being accused of running a massive “catfishing” and “sextortion” scheme involving over a dozen underage individuals.
Zachariah Abraham Meyers, an 18-year-old student at Peters Township High School in McMurray, Pennsylvania, was charged with over 100 felony charges this week, including trafficking in minors, sexual abuse of children, sexual exploitation of children, unlawful contact with a minor, and sexual extortion.
Meyers was arrested on Friday and remains in custody. He is currently being held without bail, and no attorney information was readily available. Further, investigators say the number of charges Meyers is currently facing, 304, could increase as more information becomes available.
According to investigators, the 18-year-old allegedly used social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to lure underage victims to send compromising photos and videos. So far, police have identified at least 21 boys, ages 14 to 17, who were victimized by Meyers. They added that 30 individuals had been interviewed as potential targets in Meyers’ scheme.
Authorities said that Meyers hid his identity behind fake profiles of an Arizona man, a female adult film star from the Netherlands, and another unidentified woman.

Pennsylvania high school senior accused of running ‘large-scale’ catfishing, sextortion scheme (Image: WPXI)
“All but one of the juveniles believed they were communicating with an attractive young female,” authorities said.
A criminal complaint says that Meyers asked his victims to send nude photos to make pornographic videos. In one instance, the teenager reportedly demanded $500 from the victims to not share the explicit content with other people.
The complaint then states that one of the victims failed to comply with his demands. Moments later, the victim’s sister received an Instagram message with a nude photo of her brother.
In another instance, Meyers allegedly coerced a victim into filming himself having sex with two men. The 18-year-old is also accused of coercing a victim into filming 10 minors in a “private area” inside school facilities.

Pennsylvania high school senior accused of running ‘large-scale’ catfishing, sextortion scheme (Image: WPXI)
Police arrested Meyers after searching his home. They reportedly also searched his phone and allegedly found evidence of the 18-year-old coercing his victims on social media.
Meyers was the president of his high school’s senior class and a Peters Township athlete. The school district said in a statement that authorities believe there is no further danger to students in this case.
“The police have indicated that there is no immediate safety risk to our schools, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation,” a spokesperson for the Peters Township School District said. “The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our highest priority, and we appreciate all the efforts of the Peters Township Police in this matter.”
The district also said it would offer educational programs to community members on online safety, as well as other resources for students.
“Our entire Peters Township School community is profoundly saddened and troubled by the recent events that have affected our families. Events like these can be deeply unsettling for our students, staff, and families,” the district’s statement read.
“This matter remains under active investigation by law enforcement, and the District is cooperating fully,” the statement continued. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority, as we work with the Police to support the victims in this matter and protect their confidentiality as required by law.”
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