A Beaver County special-education teacher at a school for students with disabilities is behind bars after investigators say he tried to arrange sexual activity with what he believed was an 11-year-old child. The man, identified as 37-year-old Justin Pavetto, was arrested and now faces a stack of felony charges.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, Pavetto is charged with nine felonies, including attempted rape of a child. He was arrested on Friday and is being held in Butler County Prison on $500,000 bail, court filings show. Cranberry Eagle reports his preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 29.
Undercover sting and allegations
Charging documents say Pavetto began communicating online with an undercover officer who was posing as a stepfather traveling with an 11-year-old. The conversations allegedly moved from messages to phone calls and video chats.
The complaint states Pavetto asked whether the man and the child had engaged in sexual activity and discussed meeting at a McDonald's on Route 19 to carry out the assault. Investigators also say Pavetto joined a six-minute video call in which he hid his face and expressed a desire to watch sexual acts, as detailed by WPXI.
School response and background
The Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit, which employs Pavetto, said it is cooperating with law enforcement and that administrators are committed to maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.
BVIU operates New Horizon School, a center-based program serving students with intensive special-education needs. The unit lists its central office at 147 Poplar Ave. in Monaca and runs New Horizon along with a satellite campus, according to the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit.
Charges and court timeline
Local reporting indicates the criminal complaint includes counts for unlawful contact with a minor, sexual-abuse communications with a minor, attempted rape of a child, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, multiple solicitation charges, and criminal use of a communications facility, for a total of nine felonies. Court records list Pavetto's bail at $500,000 and show a preliminary hearing set for May 29 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty, as reported by Cranberry Eagle.
Community reaction
Neighbors and parents told reporters they were horrified by the allegations and the level of planning described in the complaint. “I don't know how you can just imagine doing that. It's just disgusting to me overall,” one resident told WPXI. Another neighbor warned that the alleged intent alone is deeply disturbing, even though no assault was carried out.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations have not been proven in court. Pavetto is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
