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WPXI has learned a senior manager with American Airlines was arrested Friday morning in Pittsburgh after allegedly attempting to meet a mother and her 10-year-old daughter for sex.
Investigators said Ray Howland posted an online classified as looking to rendezvous with a mother and daughter.
An agent posing as a mother of a 10-year-old girl reached out to him, and Howland responded.
He explained in detail, through email and text messages, the sexual acts he hoped to engage in, agents allege.
According to the complaint, Howland said, “I’ve had a fantasy of being with a mom and daughter for a long time. I’m not really too concerned with ages as long as everyone is comfortable and in agreement. So young is fine with me.”
When Howland showed up at a hotel on University Boulevard in Moon Township, agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit moved in and arrested him.
WPXI Investigator Rick Earle reports the 55-year-old lives in Texas and he's a senior manager with American Airlines. He was in Pittsburgh on business.
According to the criminal complaint, Howland at one point talked about getting busted, “I work for an airline as an operational manager, so no law enforcement ties with me. I don’t want to go to jail either and I don’t get the feeling that you are setting me up either.”
Howland is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to commit rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility.
Bail was set at $150,000. Howland faces a preliminary hearing on July 7.
The investigation is ongoing to determine if there were other families with which Howland sought to meet.
Ross Feinstein, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at American Airlines, released the following statement Monday morning:
"American Airlines holds its employees to the highest level of ethical standards. Employees who violate these standards are subject to disciplinary action, which may include immediate termination. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and do not intend to comment on this case publicly out of respect for all involved."
