Christopher Morelli

BELLEFONTE — An area man is facing federal charges regarding unlawful contact with a minor after previously being charged similarly twice by the Spring Township Police Department in late 2023 and early 2024.

According to a federal indictment, Christopher Z. Morelli — who was previously charged in December 2023 with trying to lure a minor female for sex online between July 2022 and that month and again in January 2024 when a victim came forward and said he attempted to do the same in 2011 — will now be charged with a federal count of attempted enticement of a minor, WJAC reported.

Though details on the charge haven’t been released, the indictment did accuse Morelli of “persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing an individual under the age of 18 for prostitution or sexual activity.”

According to WJAC, the FBI say the charge relates to the first incident Morelli was charged with in December 2023 by the Spring Township Police Department.

Authorities indicating to WJAC Morelli will enter a guilty plea, with a mandatory minimum sentence being ten years in prison.

The first set of charges followed a joint investigation with the police department and FBI where an undercover agent posted as a 14-year-old female.

Morelli allegedly began conversing through digital messaging with the minor in July 2022 through December 2023, asking to “hang out” with the girl, that he could buy her outfits including “sexy things,” that the girl could model for Morelli at a hotel, according to previous arrest affidavits.

Authorities allege Morelli asked the undercover agent several times if she would go to a hotel with him and do a “photo shoot,” during which Morelli and the girl could engage in potential sexual acts, according to the arrest affidavit.

The FBI alleges Morelli also told the girl he desired that she visit his home.

He also allegedly provided the girl with sexually explicit images of himself.

This arrest saw Morelli charged with unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses and criminal use of a communications device.

The second set of charges, filed in January of this year, came after a victim stepped forward and told law enforcement Morelli had inappropriate contact with her in 2011 when she was 14 years old.

The Centre County District Attorney’s office’s statement at the time indicated Morelli had the victim and friend to his home in Pleasant Gap in September 2011. She provided law enforcement with evidence in the form of messages from a Facebook account named “Chris Morelli.”

The messages began in October of 2011 in which he allegedly talked to the victim about her time at his house swimming and his wishes for her to return along, the DA said.

The DA said the minor victim stopped talking to Morelli after the conversations became even more inappropriate.

Morelli then attempted to contact the minor victim multiple times over the next few months. The minor victim did not respond, police allege.

This arrest saw Morelli charged with solicitation to commit the crime of statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors.

In January, Morelli was denied bail and remained in the Centre County Correctional Facility.

Morelli was employed by various newspapers throughout central Pennsylvania over the years, including as an editor for The Express. He left the position in 2022.