PALMER TWP., Pa. — The stepfather of a missing township teen has been charged with harassment of a person he accused of being involved with his teen stepdaughter’s disappearance.
John Gehrmann, 44, was charged by state police with three third-degree misdemeanor counts of harassment. Gehrmann is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 15, before District Judge Jacob E. Hammond.
A criminal complaint said he was involved in the continued harassment of person he suspected of playing a part in the Jan. 10 disappearance of his stepdaughter, Enci “Aubrey” Wu.
On the Facebook page, Gehrmann speculated his stepdaughter had been taken to a person’s residence for a night before she supposedly ran away.Criminal complaint
On Tuesday, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta announced she had been classified as a runaway.
According to the criminal complaint Gehrmann started the Facebook group “aubreysNOTfound,” which focuses on information and story-sharing related to Wu.
He serves as an administrator and moderator of the group, controlling what content is posted and shared.
On the page, Gehrmann speculated his stepdaughter had been taken to a person’s residence for a night before she supposedly ran away.
He later posted on his Facebook group that the person was involved in the disappearance of Wu.
'There is great concern'
Within the Facebook group, a member posted information concerning a business owned by that individual’s son, indicating there was a connection of some sort.
Threatening comments appeared after the post went live.
“There is great concern that by [Gehrmann’s] actions, it would significantly hinder their investigation into locating his stepdaughter and bringing her home safely.”Palmer Township Police Department letter
On Feb. 17, a detective from the Palmer Township Police Department sent a letter to Gehrmann and his wife, citing numerous complaints linked to Gehrmann making derogatory comments about people who may or may not be involved in the investigation.
Complaints stated Gehrmann allegedly posted confidential information — names, addresses, etc. — without evidence to support the allegations.
The complaints also alluded to additional concerns, including Gehrmann encouraging individuals to show up or protest at the complainants' businesses and residences.
Gehrmann was told the complainants felt a great concern for their safety, the safety of their families, and negative impacts upon their businesses.
The letter concluded with a statement that “there is great concern that by [Gehrmann’s] actions, it would significantly hinder their investigation into locating his stepdaughter and bringing her home safely.”
'Going to come after you'
The detective later confirmed they had instructed Gehrmann three separate times to stop the online harassment, also indicating an FBI agent had instructed him to stop, as well.
The son of the individual Gehrmann allegedly was harassing provided authorities with a video posted by Gehrmann.
According to the police complaint, Gehrmann indicates the person’s mother had treated his stepdaughter like a stray dog.
“You are going to be hunted by us, and we are going to come after you.”John Gehrmann, quoted in a criminal complaint
Gehrmann went on to state he was going to hunt down the person’s family, including their son and his 13-year-old son.
The police complaint shows Gehrmann stated, “you are going to be hunted by us, and we are going to come after you.”
Then, without specifically indicating who he was talking about, Gehrmann states “everyone will know you are a kidnapping monster.”
Charges were filed against Gehrmann on Feb. 26.
Police have said Wu’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
The case has caught national attention, with numerous online communities engaging in factfinding, and NBC-TV's "Dateline" airing an episode about Wu this week.
