Former Wilkes professor gets probation for felony charge

Sydney Allabaugh, Editor-in-Chief

February 12, 2025

Edward John Schicatano.

A former Wilkes University psychology professor pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempted dissemination of sexually explicit materials on Friday and was sentenced to three years of probation, according to his lawyer Nanda Palissery.

Edward John Schicatano, 60, of Plains Twp., was charged in August 2023 for trying to set up a sexual encounter with a fictitious 15-year-old girl during an online citizen-sting operation conducted by Musa Harris, the self-proclaimed Luzerne County Predator Catcher.

According to an article published in The Beacon in 2023:

Schicatano, under the alias of “Lora Smith,” asked for the girl’s age. Harris, posed as the teenage girl, said “almost 16 years old.” Schicatano then replied, “I’m sorry. Too young.” The online conversation continued, despite Schicatano repeatedly expressing concern over the girl’s age and potential FBI involvement.

According to police, Schicatano sent the girl a photo of two men engaged in a sexual act. He eventually wanted to meet the girl and in doing so, was met by Harris. Police said Harris provided them with video of the confrontation, and they were able to identify the man in the video as Schicatano.

Upon publicization of the confrontation on social media, Wilkes University President Greg Cant announced in August 2023 statement that a “longtime member” of Wilkes faculty would no longer be employed at the university due to “very serious accusations.” This faculty member was ultimately identified as Schicatano.

“We are very pleased with the sentencing,” Palissery said.

About the Contributor

Sydney Allabaugh, Editor-in-Chief

Sydney Allabaugh is the editor-in-chief of The Beacon. Allabaugh joined The Beacon as a first-year student writing for the opinion section. She became the assistant opinion editor during the latter half of her sophomore year and was the opinion editor throughout her junior year. She was promoted to her current role at the start of her senior year. Allabaugh will be graduating in May of 2025 with a major in Communication Studies with concentrations in Media Production and Strategic Communication, as well as a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. Outside of The Beacon, Allabaugh is the director of Wilkes Now!, Wilkes' student-run television program. She joined Wilkes Now! as a first-year student, became a production assistant her sophomore year, and began directing at the start of her junior year. Allabaugh is striving to work in television or public relations in her future.