WEST OCEAN CITY, Md. – An investigation into online child solicitation lands a West Ocean City theater owner behind bars.
The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation says it first made contact with David Edward Weatherholtz, the owner of O.C. Jamboree, on December 3. Detectives identified themselves as a 13-year-old boy and engaged in conversation with Weatherholtz for the next several weeks.
"I began corresponding with the individual explaining to him that I was a young boy through a series of text messaging and emails over the next two weeks he sexually solicited me to meet him and we did in fact meet," said Kagan.
Investigators say the suspect made sexually explicit comments and referenced other sexual encounters he had had with underage boys. They say he agreed to meet the boy Tuesday.
Upon arriving at the arranged meeting location, Weatherholtz was taken into custody and charged with sexual solicitation of a minor, the C.B. I. says. He is being held in jail on $150,000 bond.
Based on comments Weatherholtz made to detectives, it is believed that there may have been additional unidentified victims who either took lessons from Weatherholtz or were involved in theatrical productions at “O.C. Jamboree”.
"Mr.Weatherholtz has only been active within the community here for the past 16 years through his business so we're looking at possible victims from previous states that he's lived in," said Kagan.
That concerns parents like Kevin Ball.
"It's disgusting and we're all concerned we're all worried about it and I'm just afraid the fallout of how many other children were devastated and injured by this mans actions and that worries all of us in this town," said Ball.
Kagan said he believes Weatherholtz used the theater as a segway to meet children, and they're reaching out to people he may have had relationships with in the past.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Corporal Alex Kagan @ akagan@co.worcester.md.us or 410-632-1111.
