Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney.
A longtime SEPTA maintenance employee is behind bars on $10 million bail after police say he attempted to meet who he believed was a 13-year-old girl for sex.
Eric Karch, 53, of Jenkintown, allegedly took a SEPTA bus to Bensalem on the day of his arrest, where officers were waiting for him. According to investigators, Karch had been communicating on a dating app with someone he thought was a teenager. The conversations quickly turned sexual, with police saying Karch sent explicit messages and images, requested nude photos, and described sex acts he intended to perform. Authorities stressed that no real child was ever in danger during the undercover investigation.
Karch is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of children, and corruption of minors. A SEPTA spokesperson confirmed that Karch has worked for the transit authority for more than 20 years, and that SEPTA’s inspector general has launched an internal investigation following his arrest. Police say the case underscores the dangers of online predators and emphasized their commitment to proactive investigations to protect children.
The arrest has rattled residents in both Bensalem and Jenkintown.
“Sickening, horrible. Don’t know why anybody does that,” said Stephanie Lynn of Bensalem in an interview with Fox 29.
Aileen Altimari added, “It sickens me he took a bus here… 53 years old, he should have something better to do with himself.”
Dave Koaek noted the dangers of social media, calling the case “vile” but adding that he was glad police tracked Karch down.
Another resident expressed relief simply, saying, “Get him off the street. He doesn’t belong there.”
