BENSALEM POLICE ARREST LIFETIME MEGAN’S LAW OFFENDER

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 10:15 am, David Coles Sr., 76 years old from Wood Street in Bristol, was arrested when he showed up in Bensalem to have a sexual encounter with what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.  David Coles Sr. is a Lifetime Megan’s Law Offender who was convicted in 1997 of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse and Aggravated Indecent Assault per the PA State Police Megan’s Law public website.

In November 2022, Bensalem Detectives were made aware of David Coles Sr. because he posted an ad on a dating website.  His profile stated that he was looking for a male to engage in oral sex.  Coles Sr. then engaged with what he believed to be a 14-year-old male from Bensalem in emails and text messages.  During those messages, Coles Sr. expressed interest in meeting the juvenile for a sexual encounter.  The communication with the juvenile then tapered off.

On February 22, 2023, David Coles Sr. initiated a conversation with what he believed to be a middle-school-aged male on the Grindr application.  During the conversation, Coles Sr. agreed to meet the juvenile, pick him up and take him to his apartment in Bristol.  Coles Sr. continually expressed interest in engaging in oral sex with the juvenile at his apartment.

Members of Bensalem Police Criminal Investigations Unit and Special Investigation Unit were standing by as David Coles Sr. arrived in Bensalem to meet for the sexual encounter with the alleged juvenile.  Coles Sr. was taken into custody, interviewed and charged with Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Corruption of Minors, Indecent Assault and Criminal Use of Communication Facility.  He was arraigned by District Justice Joseph Falcone and was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of 10% of $10 Million bail.

It is possible that David Coles Sr. has met juveniles in the past utilizing dating apps.  If you have any information regarding David Coles Sr., Bensalem Police urge you to contact Detective Ryan Kolb at (215) 633-3746.