Former trooper not guilty in child-sex case

A Delaware County judge who yesterday found a defendant not guilty of soliciting sex with children in an Internet chat with an undercover detective did not hold back harsh criticism of the man who was once a state trooper.

"I hope he is not a trooper anymore, because he has horrible judgment," said Common Pleas Court Judge Frank T. Hazel. He also said he hoped the defendant was getting professional help.

Albert Silveri III, 40, of Aston, was arrested a year ago on charges of criminal solicitation and criminal use of a communication facility. He chose to forgo a jury trial and have his case heard by a judge.

The commonwealth did not meet its burden of proof in the case, Hazel ruled.

In April 2008, Silveri first made contact with the detective posing as a mother of two daughters, ages 8 and 10. In the months that followed, the two exchanged information and set up appointments allegedly to meet for sex.

Silveri never showed up for the meetings. He said during testimony last month that the fantasy was in the conversation.

"To say this is a fantasy is to say murder is just a crime," Hazel said.

"You can't punish people for what they are thinking," said Steve Pacillio, Silveri's defense attorney. Pacillio said his client never had any intention of following through with the meetings.

In the chats, the former trooper promised to buy presents for the girls and their mother. Pacillio said no evidence of presents was found in his client's car or home.

Silveri started counseling shortly after he was arrested, Pacillio said.

While the actions might have been offensive, Pacillio said, they were not illegal.

"I don't want to live in a world where our thoughts are illegal," Pacillio said. "The courts don't want that, either."

Silveri became a state trooper in 2000, and was an accident-reconstruction specialist. He resigned after he was arrested.