Blaise Diehl in a YouTube screenshot (Credit: YouTube)
A Bucks County man who was arrested after a two-month investigation on child sexual abuse and attempted statutory sexual assault charges with the aid of an online sexual predator group who shared the police encounter on YouTube pleaded guilty to two felonies and awaits sentencing.
Blaise Nathaniel Diehl, 41, turned himself in to Warrington Township Police in November 2024 on charges of attempted statutory sexual assault, criminal attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal attempted aggravated indecent assault, possession of child pornography, and criminal use of a communication device, according to charging documents. The sexual abuse of children charge is related to the defendant allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material, according to state law.
At a Nov. 24 hearing in Bucks County Common Pleas Court, Diehl pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communication device and was not prosecuted on the other felonies, according to court records.
Sentencing is set for March 31. Diehl remains at Bucks County jail on $100,000 cash bail.
The video of Diehl's arrest was posted on YouTube under the title, "Man Brings EVERY SINGLE THING HE HAS to Meet Child in Hotel At 2am ARRESTED (Warrington Twp, PA)" and was posted in October 2024.
On Sept. 17, 2024, Warrington Police were notified that Diehl traveled from Lancaster to Warrington to meet with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl at the Hampton Inn Doylestown at 1570 Easton Road, authorities allege. In reality, the “girl” was fake and part of an operation by an online sexual predator group, police said.
During an on-scene investigation, several electronic devices were seized, as authorities believed child sexual abusive material was on them, police said. Search warrants were obtained for the devices, with at least one containing such material, police said.
After a two-month investigation, charges were filed against Diehl, police said.
According to Pennsylvania court records, Diehl received five years’ probation in November 2021 for pleading guilty to his second DUI in York County.
Diehl has a criminal record dating back to 2003 across numerous counties. For instance, he was convicted and jailed for DUI in Cumberland County in 2013 and again in York County in 2008, pled guilty to assault in Franklin County in 2014, got probation in 2008 in Union County for harassment and disorderly conduct, and served one month probation for pleading guilty to theft in 2003 in York County.
Warrington Police said parents, children and teens should be aware of the dangers lurking on the internet. For more resources, visit the NetSmartz collection of videos and resources offered by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Diehl was represented by public defender Brian McBeth.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
