ALBANY, NY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division, and Colonie New York Police Chief Steven Heider announced the arrest today of a Massachusetts man charged with enticing a 10-year-old Albany County child to produce sexually explicit videos of himself and to then send those videos to him by e-mail.
A criminal complaint unsealed in United States District Court this afternoon alleges that Brian Belanger, 21, of Worcester, Massachusetts, using the nickname “zombieshadow,” met the child online through Playstation 3. While talking through the game’s headset feature, Belanger told the child that someone was trying to kill Belanger and that the child could help him by providing sexually explicit videos of himself that Belanger could in turn give to the other person. It is alleged that Belanger directed the child what to do in the videos and that over the course of approximately three months the child e-mailed Belanger numerous times, attaching video files to the e-mails that depict the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Law enforcement was alerted on January 25, 2014, when the child’s father found the e-mails and videos on the child’s iPad. The investigation culminated with Belanger’s arrest today at his Worcester, Massachusetts residence. He made his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Hon. Randolph F. Treece and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for 2 a.m. on Monday February 10, 2014.
Belanger faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, with a maximum penalty of 30 years, potential fines of up to $250,000, and a required term supervised release of at least five years and up to life. A conviction would also require Belanger to register as a sex offender.
Members of the community in the Worcester, Massachusetts area who have concerns or information regarding this case should call (508)-792-0214. Those in the Albany, New York area with information or concerns should call either (518) 431-0247 or 1-(888) 539-4535.
The investigation and arrest of Belanger is the result of an investigation by the Colonie New York Police Department; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division; the New York State Police; the Worcester Massachusetts Police Department; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, and led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York.
Showing posts with label minor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minor. Show all posts
Monday, February 10, 2014
Friday, January 31, 2014
Baltimore Man Indicted on Charges Related to the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
| ry 30, 2014 |
BALTIMORE,—A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Richard Ho Lee, age 32, of Baltimore, today with production of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and aggravated identity theft.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“When an adult profits from sex with a child, that is human trafficking, period,” said Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Children cannot consent to have sex for money, and any adult who encourages or profits from sexual exploitation of children faces a lengthy term in federal prison.”
According to the five count indictment, on five occasions in September and October 2011, while Lee and the victim were in Baltimore, Lee purchased sex from the victim, who was only 16 years old. On October 31, 2011, Lee paid for a bus ticket for the victim to travel to Panama City, Florida, where Lee met her. Lee took the victim to a condo he had rented in Panama City and allegedly provided the victim with marijuana and alcohol. According to the indictment, Lee continued to have sex with the 16-year-old victim and encouraged her to engage in prostitution. From about December 22, 2011 to January 4, 2012, Lee placed at least 15 advertisements for the victim in the “escorts” and “body rubs” sections of an adult website. Lee used his personal credit card to pay for the advertisements, which stated, among other things, that the victim was an adult. Lee took provocative photographs of the victim in lingerie and underwear that he had purchased for the victim and attached some of the photos to the advertisements. Lee allegedly rented a second condominium where he told the victim to engage in prostitution. The indictment charges that the victim had sex with customers and agreed to provide Lee with a percentage of her earnings.
On January 9, 2012, Lee purchased a bus ticket for the victim, which she used to travel from Florida back to Maryland. In January 2012, Lee produced a counterfeit North Dakota state driver’s license for the victim, which indicated that she was 22 years old and which Lee knew to contain the personal identifying information of another person. In May 2012, Lee allegedly took pornographic photographs of the victim inside his residence in Baltimore, some of which he sent via e-mail over the Internet.
According to the superseding indictment, in June 2012, federal agents recovered Lee’s laptop computers and an external hard drive that contained more than 600 images of child pornography, including images that depicted minors less than 12 years old and portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct. Further, the laptop contained pornographic photographs that Lee had taken of the victim. In addition, the indictment alleges that Lee’s computer contained templates designed to be used for the production of counterfeit state driver’s licenses.
Lee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for production of child pornography and for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; a maximum of 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography; and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. An initial appearance will be scheduled in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
The case was investigated by the FBI-led Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force (MCETF), created in 2010 to combat child prostitution, with members from 10 state and federal law enforcement agencies. The task force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution.
MCETF partners with the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. Crooks, who is prosecuting the case.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“When an adult profits from sex with a child, that is human trafficking, period,” said Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Children cannot consent to have sex for money, and any adult who encourages or profits from sexual exploitation of children faces a lengthy term in federal prison.”
According to the five count indictment, on five occasions in September and October 2011, while Lee and the victim were in Baltimore, Lee purchased sex from the victim, who was only 16 years old. On October 31, 2011, Lee paid for a bus ticket for the victim to travel to Panama City, Florida, where Lee met her. Lee took the victim to a condo he had rented in Panama City and allegedly provided the victim with marijuana and alcohol. According to the indictment, Lee continued to have sex with the 16-year-old victim and encouraged her to engage in prostitution. From about December 22, 2011 to January 4, 2012, Lee placed at least 15 advertisements for the victim in the “escorts” and “body rubs” sections of an adult website. Lee used his personal credit card to pay for the advertisements, which stated, among other things, that the victim was an adult. Lee took provocative photographs of the victim in lingerie and underwear that he had purchased for the victim and attached some of the photos to the advertisements. Lee allegedly rented a second condominium where he told the victim to engage in prostitution. The indictment charges that the victim had sex with customers and agreed to provide Lee with a percentage of her earnings.
On January 9, 2012, Lee purchased a bus ticket for the victim, which she used to travel from Florida back to Maryland. In January 2012, Lee produced a counterfeit North Dakota state driver’s license for the victim, which indicated that she was 22 years old and which Lee knew to contain the personal identifying information of another person. In May 2012, Lee allegedly took pornographic photographs of the victim inside his residence in Baltimore, some of which he sent via e-mail over the Internet.
According to the superseding indictment, in June 2012, federal agents recovered Lee’s laptop computers and an external hard drive that contained more than 600 images of child pornography, including images that depicted minors less than 12 years old and portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct. Further, the laptop contained pornographic photographs that Lee had taken of the victim. In addition, the indictment alleges that Lee’s computer contained templates designed to be used for the production of counterfeit state driver’s licenses.
Lee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for production of child pornography and for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; a maximum of 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography; and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. An initial appearance will be scheduled in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
The case was investigated by the FBI-led Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force (MCETF), created in 2010 to combat child prostitution, with members from 10 state and federal law enforcement agencies. The task force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution.
MCETF partners with the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. Crooks, who is prosecuting the case.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Member of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Sentenced to Life in Prison for Offense Involving Sexual Abuse of a Minor
FORT SMITH, AR—Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Douglas James Christopher, 60, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced today for knowingly transporting a minor from Oklahoma to Arkansas with the intent to engage in sexual activity. Christopher was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The sentencing took place before the Honorable P.K. Holmes, III in United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This defendant, like others involved in the Alamo organization, engaged in horrendous conduct involving sexual abuse of a minor child. I appreciate the tireless work of law enforcement and our office to bring sexual perpetrators to justice. We will not rest in our efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse our children.”
Fort Smith Police Detective Kris Deason stated, “Today Douglas Christopher was sentenced in federal court to life in prison for his horrendous crimes against a young child, which took away her innocence and trust. This had an impact on her and her entire extended family that will not quickly fade away. Life in prison is the only just and appropriate sentence for him, and he will not be able to victimize anyone again.”
“Today’s life sentence sends a very strong message to those who would transport children across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity,” stated Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Howard S. Marshall. ” I am so proud of the agents and officers, victim specialists, and attorneys who worked so diligently on this very difficult case that involved such heinous crimes.”
According to court records, Christopher, a member of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, previously resided at an Alamo compound located in Muldrow, Oklahoma. In September 2008, a law enforcement raid of Alamo’s compound in Fouke, Arkansas, caused Alamo satellite-compound residents to go into hiding. Christopher and other followers relocated to Valparaiso, Indiana. While living in Oklahoma, Christopher was assigned to stand watch at properties under the organization’s control. One location, on Division Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was known as the “mechanic’s shop.” Beginning around June 2003, Christopher began transporting a minor, whose mother he had married in 2000, from the family’s home in Oklahoma to the mechanic’s shop for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse. Specifically, in August 2008, when the minor was 13 years old, Christopher transported the minor to the mechanic’s shop where they then had sexual intercourse in a van parked inside the shop. Shortly after this trip, the minor and siblings were taken into protective custody in response to the federal investigation of Tony Alamo.
This case was investigated by the FBI Special Agent Timmy Akins and Fort Smith Police Department Detective Kris Deason. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This defendant, like others involved in the Alamo organization, engaged in horrendous conduct involving sexual abuse of a minor child. I appreciate the tireless work of law enforcement and our office to bring sexual perpetrators to justice. We will not rest in our efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse our children.”
Fort Smith Police Detective Kris Deason stated, “Today Douglas Christopher was sentenced in federal court to life in prison for his horrendous crimes against a young child, which took away her innocence and trust. This had an impact on her and her entire extended family that will not quickly fade away. Life in prison is the only just and appropriate sentence for him, and he will not be able to victimize anyone again.”
“Today’s life sentence sends a very strong message to those who would transport children across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity,” stated Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Howard S. Marshall. ” I am so proud of the agents and officers, victim specialists, and attorneys who worked so diligently on this very difficult case that involved such heinous crimes.”
According to court records, Christopher, a member of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, previously resided at an Alamo compound located in Muldrow, Oklahoma. In September 2008, a law enforcement raid of Alamo’s compound in Fouke, Arkansas, caused Alamo satellite-compound residents to go into hiding. Christopher and other followers relocated to Valparaiso, Indiana. While living in Oklahoma, Christopher was assigned to stand watch at properties under the organization’s control. One location, on Division Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was known as the “mechanic’s shop.” Beginning around June 2003, Christopher began transporting a minor, whose mother he had married in 2000, from the family’s home in Oklahoma to the mechanic’s shop for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse. Specifically, in August 2008, when the minor was 13 years old, Christopher transported the minor to the mechanic’s shop where they then had sexual intercourse in a van parked inside the shop. Shortly after this trip, the minor and siblings were taken into protective custody in response to the federal investigation of Tony Alamo.
This case was investigated by the FBI Special Agent Timmy Akins and Fort Smith Police Department Detective Kris Deason. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Former Partner in International Law Firm Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Distributing Images of Child Sexual Abuse
NEWARK—A Bergen County, New Jersey man admitted today to engaging in the sex trafficking of a young boy and distributing child pornography over the Internet and was sentenced during the same proceeding to 210 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution to his victims, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Edward M. De Sear, 67, of Saddle River, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to a superseding information charging him with one count of sex trafficking of a child and four counts of distributing child pornography. Judge Martini imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
At the time of his initial arrest in July 2011 on a federal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography, De Sear was a partner at the New York office of a prominent international law firm. He was released on bail and taken into custody again in August 2012, when he was charged in an indictment with multiple offenses related to images of children being sexually abused.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
De Sear admitted that in June 2011, he arranged for a young boy to travel from Paris to Brussels, Belgium, and sexually abused the child. De Sear facilitated the boy’s international travel by, among other means, paying cash to the boy’s father.
On several occasions between May 2010 and February 2011, De Sear also distributed hundreds of video and image files depicting young children being sexually abused, sometimes violently, via a peer-to-peer file-sharing program.
In addition to the prison term and restitution, Judge Martini ordered De Sear to pay a $25,000 fine and sentenced him to a lifetime of supervised release. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea and sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shirley U. Emehelu and Leslie F. Schwartz of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Edward M. De Sear, 67, of Saddle River, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to a superseding information charging him with one count of sex trafficking of a child and four counts of distributing child pornography. Judge Martini imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
At the time of his initial arrest in July 2011 on a federal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography, De Sear was a partner at the New York office of a prominent international law firm. He was released on bail and taken into custody again in August 2012, when he was charged in an indictment with multiple offenses related to images of children being sexually abused.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
De Sear admitted that in June 2011, he arranged for a young boy to travel from Paris to Brussels, Belgium, and sexually abused the child. De Sear facilitated the boy’s international travel by, among other means, paying cash to the boy’s father.
On several occasions between May 2010 and February 2011, De Sear also distributed hundreds of video and image files depicting young children being sexually abused, sometimes violently, via a peer-to-peer file-sharing program.
In addition to the prison term and restitution, Judge Martini ordered De Sear to pay a $25,000 fine and sentenced him to a lifetime of supervised release. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea and sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shirley U. Emehelu and Leslie F. Schwartz of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Former South Plainfield Police Captain Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a Minor
TRENTON, NJ—A former South Plainfield, New Jersey police captain admitted today to exploiting a minor girl by enticing her to live-stream sexually explicit acts via the Internet in exchange for payment, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Michael Grennier, 51, of South Plainfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of production of child pornography. Grennier was charged by complaint on February 19, 2013, and has been in custody since that date.
According to documents and evidence in this case and statements made in court:
On February 14, 2013, Grennier enticed a girl to perform sexually explicit acts and stream images of herself over the Internet while he watched remotely from his home computer. During the webcam session, Grennier exchanged text messages with the minor in which he directed her actions. Grennier admitted during his guilty plea proceeding that he promised to buy his victim clothing in exchange for her performance.
At the time of his arrest, Grennier was working for a private computer forensics firm. Prior to his retirement, he was a computer forensics specialist for the South Plainfield Police Department.
The production count carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The mandatory minimum sentence for this offense is 15 years in prison. Sentencing is currently scheduled for March 27, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, for the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the South Plainfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police James Parker, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Andrew Carey, for their assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Bartle, Attorney in Charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton.
Michael Grennier, 51, of South Plainfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of production of child pornography. Grennier was charged by complaint on February 19, 2013, and has been in custody since that date.
According to documents and evidence in this case and statements made in court:
On February 14, 2013, Grennier enticed a girl to perform sexually explicit acts and stream images of herself over the Internet while he watched remotely from his home computer. During the webcam session, Grennier exchanged text messages with the minor in which he directed her actions. Grennier admitted during his guilty plea proceeding that he promised to buy his victim clothing in exchange for her performance.
At the time of his arrest, Grennier was working for a private computer forensics firm. Prior to his retirement, he was a computer forensics specialist for the South Plainfield Police Department.
The production count carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The mandatory minimum sentence for this offense is 15 years in prison. Sentencing is currently scheduled for March 27, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, for the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the South Plainfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police James Parker, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Andrew Carey, for their assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Bartle, Attorney in Charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Isabel Woman Sentenced for Simple Assault of a Minor
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Isabel, South Dakota woman convicted of simple assault of a minor was sentenced on November 25, 2013, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.
Crystal Lee Reeder, a/k/a Crystal Taylor, age 29, was sentenced to six months of probation and a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Reeder was indicted for child abuse by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013. She pled guilty on September 19, 2013, to simple assault of a minor.
In May 2012, the victim went to Reeder’s home to visit. During the visit, Reeder asked the victim, who was under the age of 16, inappropriate questions and offered alcohol to the victim, which she refused. While the victim was sitting on the couch, Reeder engaged in offensive touching of the victim and a simple assault of the victim’s person.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case.
Crystal Lee Reeder, a/k/a Crystal Taylor, age 29, was sentenced to six months of probation and a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Reeder was indicted for child abuse by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013. She pled guilty on September 19, 2013, to simple assault of a minor.
In May 2012, the victim went to Reeder’s home to visit. During the visit, Reeder asked the victim, who was under the age of 16, inappropriate questions and offered alcohol to the victim, which she refused. While the victim was sitting on the couch, Reeder engaged in offensive touching of the victim and a simple assault of the victim’s person.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Martial Arts Instructor Pleads Guilty to Six Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
Christopher M. Horton, 20, of Highland, Illinois, pled guilty today in the United States District Court to an indictment charging him with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of attempt sexual exploitation of a minor, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Documents filed in U.S. District Court establish that while employed as a martial arts instructor at a studio in Belleville, Illinois, Horton sexually abused three students between the ages of 6 and 10 years and video-recorded these acts using his Apple iPhone. Horton also attempted to engage a fourth minor in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing a recording of the conduct. Approximately 57 video files containing child pornography were recovered from Horton’s cellular phone, which were created between the dates of May 1, 2012, and February 9, 2013. During an interview with law enforcement, Horton confessed to sexually abusing the minors and to having produced video recordings of the abuse using his cellular telephone.
Horton is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2014, at which time he faces a term in prison of not less than 15 years but not more than 30 years on each count, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years, up to and including, a lifetime of supervision once he is released.
The case was investigated by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Metro East Cyber Crimes and Analysis Task Force, the Highland (Illinois) Police Department, and the Belleville (Illinois) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Documents filed in U.S. District Court establish that while employed as a martial arts instructor at a studio in Belleville, Illinois, Horton sexually abused three students between the ages of 6 and 10 years and video-recorded these acts using his Apple iPhone. Horton also attempted to engage a fourth minor in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing a recording of the conduct. Approximately 57 video files containing child pornography were recovered from Horton’s cellular phone, which were created between the dates of May 1, 2012, and February 9, 2013. During an interview with law enforcement, Horton confessed to sexually abusing the minors and to having produced video recordings of the abuse using his cellular telephone.
Horton is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2014, at which time he faces a term in prison of not less than 15 years but not more than 30 years on each count, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years, up to and including, a lifetime of supervision once he is released.
The case was investigated by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Metro East Cyber Crimes and Analysis Task Force, the Highland (Illinois) Police Department, and the Belleville (Illinois) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Pittsburgh Man Faces Charges Related to the Sexual Exploitation of Minors
PITTSBURGH—An Allegheny County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of receipt, distribution, and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The three-count indictment named James Stover, 26, formerly of 950 Industry Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about March 19, 2013, Stover received images containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The indictment further alleges that on or about May 29, 2013, Stover distributed images containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The indictment further alleges that on or about August 15, 2013, Stover knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The three-count indictment named James Stover, 26, formerly of 950 Industry Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about March 19, 2013, Stover received images containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The indictment further alleges that on or about May 29, 2013, Stover distributed images containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The indictment further alleges that on or about August 15, 2013, Stover knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Fort Polk Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor
LAKE CHARLES, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Antwon M. Sewell, 20, of Fort Polk, Louisiana, was sentenced on October 3, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 15 months in prison with five years of supervised release for committing abusive sexual contact with two minors. Sewell pleaded guilty on June 13, 2013.
According to evidence presented in court, Sewell was at a party taking place at an unoccupied residence on the Fort Polk Military base on July 18, 2012. While at the party, he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old girl at different times that night. He admitted to providing alcohol to the minors attending the party.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
According to evidence presented in court, Sewell was at a party taking place at an unoccupied residence on the Fort Polk Military base on July 18, 2012. While at the party, he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old girl at different times that night. He admitted to providing alcohol to the minors attending the party.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
28 men may be charged in 11-year-old's rape
CLEVELAND, Texas — Some of the suspects charged in connection with the gang rape of an 11-year-old girl appeared in court on Monday.
Cleveland police said the sixth-grade student was assaulted inside an abandoned trailer over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Sixteen people have been charged in the case, including four Cleveland High School students who were charged last week with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14.
As many as five juvenile suspects were in court on Monday. Their names were withheld because they are minors.
In the 75th District Court, Jamarcus Napper, 18; Jared McPherson, 18; Kelvin King, 21; Marcos Porchia, 26; and Isaiah Ross, 21, appeared before the judge.
Ross’ attorney said even more names could be added to the suspect list.
“I don’t know the exact number of people involved. I’ve heard as many as 28 or more,” defense attorney James Evans said.
Evans said Ross is accused of multiple offenses in the case for encounters with the victim dating before the Nov. 28 incident and after.
“We do believe that she had a desire to be a willing participant in this tragic, very tragic — but we are working through it,” Evans said.
Evans represents four suspects in the case, and said the number of those implicated seems to grow by the day.
“Sixteen or 17 who have been arrested and there is additional people who are slated for the grand jury, so I really don’t know when it’s going to stop,” Evans said.
Six men were previously arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. If convicted, the suspects face 25 years to life in prison.
Police arrested four men on charges of continuous sexual assault of a child.
The girl was removed from school shortly after the rape allegation came to light. She is being taught outside a traditional classroom setting, school officials said.
Court documents in the case show evidence in the case is circulating on cellular phones in Cleveland schools.
The documents read, “Victim stated that digital still images and digital video images of the sex acts were recorded by one or more individuals using cellular telephones.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Cleveland police at 281-592-2622.
Cleveland police said the sixth-grade student was assaulted inside an abandoned trailer over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Sixteen people have been charged in the case, including four Cleveland High School students who were charged last week with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14.
As many as five juvenile suspects were in court on Monday. Their names were withheld because they are minors.
In the 75th District Court, Jamarcus Napper, 18; Jared McPherson, 18; Kelvin King, 21; Marcos Porchia, 26; and Isaiah Ross, 21, appeared before the judge.
Ross’ attorney said even more names could be added to the suspect list.
“I don’t know the exact number of people involved. I’ve heard as many as 28 or more,” defense attorney James Evans said.
Evans said Ross is accused of multiple offenses in the case for encounters with the victim dating before the Nov. 28 incident and after.
“We do believe that she had a desire to be a willing participant in this tragic, very tragic — but we are working through it,” Evans said.
Evans represents four suspects in the case, and said the number of those implicated seems to grow by the day.
“Sixteen or 17 who have been arrested and there is additional people who are slated for the grand jury, so I really don’t know when it’s going to stop,” Evans said.
Six men were previously arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. If convicted, the suspects face 25 years to life in prison.
Police arrested four men on charges of continuous sexual assault of a child.
The girl was removed from school shortly after the rape allegation came to light. She is being taught outside a traditional classroom setting, school officials said.
Court documents in the case show evidence in the case is circulating on cellular phones in Cleveland schools.
The documents read, “Victim stated that digital still images and digital video images of the sex acts were recorded by one or more individuals using cellular telephones.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Cleveland police at 281-592-2622.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Greece Man Pleads Guilty to Online Enticement of a Minor
ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Terrance Junot, III, 37, of Greece, New York, pleaded guilty to online enticement of a minor before U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison with a mandatory minimum period of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with a 13-year-old child who was known to him. During those communications, Junot persuaded the child to produce sexually explicit photographs of herself, which she then sent to him over the Internet. The defendant also sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the child during these chats.
The case came to the attention of law enforcement after the child’s mother found naked photos of the defendant on her child’s phone. The parent recognized the defendant as someone who was known to the family and took the phone to the Greece Police, who began an investigation. In the course of their investigation, Greece Police executed several search warrants and searched the victim’s cell phone. Following their discovery of sexually explicit pictures of the victim, Greece Police contacted the FBI Cyber-Crimes Task Force for assistance.
“Our office frequently tells parents and guardians to monitor the computer and cell phone usage of their children,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “The mother of the victim in this case did just that, and now a predator will not be allowed to victimize any other children. I urge all parents to be on alert. If you see something, please say something, and, as in this case, we will do something.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of officers of the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Todd Baxter, and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig.
Sentencing is set for January 10, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with a 13-year-old child who was known to him. During those communications, Junot persuaded the child to produce sexually explicit photographs of herself, which she then sent to him over the Internet. The defendant also sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the child during these chats.
The case came to the attention of law enforcement after the child’s mother found naked photos of the defendant on her child’s phone. The parent recognized the defendant as someone who was known to the family and took the phone to the Greece Police, who began an investigation. In the course of their investigation, Greece Police executed several search warrants and searched the victim’s cell phone. Following their discovery of sexually explicit pictures of the victim, Greece Police contacted the FBI Cyber-Crimes Task Force for assistance.
“Our office frequently tells parents and guardians to monitor the computer and cell phone usage of their children,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “The mother of the victim in this case did just that, and now a predator will not be allowed to victimize any other children. I urge all parents to be on alert. If you see something, please say something, and, as in this case, we will do something.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of officers of the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Todd Baxter, and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig.
Sentencing is set for January 10, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
Troy Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual Acts
ALBANY, NY—Michael Heppelle, age 42, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today in Albany before Chief United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to one count of attempted online enticement of a minor, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. Heppelle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years of imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Heppelle was detained pending his sentencing.
Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Heppelle admitted that between approximately September 24, 2012 and October 3, 2012, he called a cooperating witness and offered to pay $500 if the cooperating witness could arrange for Heppelle to have a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old girl. The cooperating witness reported his/her concerns to law enforcement, who in turn told the cooperating witness to tell Heppelle that if he was serious about engaging in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl, he could meet her on October 3, 2012, at a particular time at a pre-arranged location in Rensselaer County. On October 3, 2012, Heppelle arrived at the pre-arranged location at the pre-determined time to meet with and engage in sexual acts with the girl. Heppelle was then arrested and was found to be in possession of $500 in U.S. currency, a cellular telephone, two condoms, and a lubricant typically used during sexual intercourse.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Albany, New York. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.
Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Heppelle admitted that between approximately September 24, 2012 and October 3, 2012, he called a cooperating witness and offered to pay $500 if the cooperating witness could arrange for Heppelle to have a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old girl. The cooperating witness reported his/her concerns to law enforcement, who in turn told the cooperating witness to tell Heppelle that if he was serious about engaging in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl, he could meet her on October 3, 2012, at a particular time at a pre-arranged location in Rensselaer County. On October 3, 2012, Heppelle arrived at the pre-arranged location at the pre-determined time to meet with and engage in sexual acts with the girl. Heppelle was then arrested and was found to be in possession of $500 in U.S. currency, a cellular telephone, two condoms, and a lubricant typically used during sexual intercourse.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Albany, New York. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a Minor
ALBUQUERQUE—Leo Thompson, 54, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, New Mexico, pleaded guilty this morning to sexually abusing a minor under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Thompson will be sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Thompson will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.
Thompson was arrested on January 29, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. During today’s proceedings, Thompson pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with sexual abuse of a minor and admitted engaging in a sexual act with a child between the age of 12 and 16 years. Thompson admitted penetrating the child victim’s genitals with his finger at a location within the Navajo Indian Reservation on November 12, 2011.
Thompson has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Farmington Office of the FBI and the Shiprock Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Thompson was arrested on January 29, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. During today’s proceedings, Thompson pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with sexual abuse of a minor and admitted engaging in a sexual act with a child between the age of 12 and 16 years. Thompson admitted penetrating the child victim’s genitals with his finger at a location within the Navajo Indian Reservation on November 12, 2011.
Thompson has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Farmington Office of the FBI and the Shiprock Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Connection with Sexual Abuse of a Minor Investigation
Aaron T. Ford, Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is seeking the public’s assistance in an effort to identify additional victims of an individual arrested and charged with the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13 years old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with travelling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo travelled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo travelled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
Individuals with information concerning Joseph Anthony Carraciolo are asked to contact the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information can also be provided to the nearest FBI field office or filed electronically at https://tips.fbi.gov.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13 years old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with travelling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo travelled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo travelled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
- A tattoo of ivy on his left finger
- A chef in a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef and an underlying quote on the forearm
- A cancer ribbon with boxing gloves on forearm.=
- The initials "AJ" on the inner left wrist
- The letter “M” on inner right wrist
- The initials "NY" on the left upper arm
- An “X” between the webbing of the thumb and index finger
FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Connection with Sexual Abuse of a Minor Investigation
Aaron T. Ford, special agent in charge of the Newark Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is seeking the public’s assistance in an effort to identify additional victims of an individual arrested and charged with the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo, but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13-years-old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo traveled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo traveled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
Individuals with information concerning Joseph Anthony Carraciolo are asked to contact the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information can also be provided to the nearest FBI field office or filed electronically at https://tips.fbi.gov.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo, but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13-years-old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo traveled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo traveled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
- A tattoo of ivy on his left finger
- A chef in a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef and an underlying quote on the forearm
- A cancer ribbon with boxing gloves on forearm.=
- The initials "AJ" on the inner left wrist
- The letter “M” on inner right wrist
- The initials "NY" on the left upper arm
- An “X” between the webbing of the thumb and index finger
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Former DOJ Attorney Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity
Karl Norman Gellert, 48, of Bellevue, Tennessee, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Nashville to attempt to entice a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, announced David Rivera, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Chief Judge William Joseph Haynes, Jr. sentenced Gellert to 10 years of incarceration, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, during which time he will be required to register as a sex offender and participate in sex offender treatment, among other conditions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to protecting our children who are powerless from protecting themselves from sexual predators,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “No one is above the law and no one gets a pass; we will pursue the evidence to wherever it leads.”
According to the plea agreement, in early April 2012, Gellert communicated online with an undercover agent whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl who had never engaged in sexual activity with anyone. Gellert’s communication involved chess, his family, school, relationships, and sex. During multiple online conversations, he provided instructions on how to engage in sexual activities and transmitted images of himself engaging in such activity, as well as images of adult pornography and a link to a website for sexual devices. He asked if she would be interested in engaging in sexual activity with him in person and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity in preparation for his visit. After communicating online numerous times with this individual whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl, he began also engaging in online discussions with whom he believed to be the child’s mother, but who was the same undercover agent. He also instructed the person whom he believed to be the child’s mother about what do to prepare this child for his sexual abuse of her. The communication continued through early June 2012.
Prior to engaging in this illegal activity, Gellert had been an attorney with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., through 2009.
This matter was investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Eastern District of Virginia. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Carran Daughtrey and Alicia Yass.
Chief Judge William Joseph Haynes, Jr. sentenced Gellert to 10 years of incarceration, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, during which time he will be required to register as a sex offender and participate in sex offender treatment, among other conditions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to protecting our children who are powerless from protecting themselves from sexual predators,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “No one is above the law and no one gets a pass; we will pursue the evidence to wherever it leads.”
According to the plea agreement, in early April 2012, Gellert communicated online with an undercover agent whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl who had never engaged in sexual activity with anyone. Gellert’s communication involved chess, his family, school, relationships, and sex. During multiple online conversations, he provided instructions on how to engage in sexual activities and transmitted images of himself engaging in such activity, as well as images of adult pornography and a link to a website for sexual devices. He asked if she would be interested in engaging in sexual activity with him in person and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity in preparation for his visit. After communicating online numerous times with this individual whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl, he began also engaging in online discussions with whom he believed to be the child’s mother, but who was the same undercover agent. He also instructed the person whom he believed to be the child’s mother about what do to prepare this child for his sexual abuse of her. The communication continued through early June 2012.
Prior to engaging in this illegal activity, Gellert had been an attorney with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., through 2009.
This matter was investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Eastern District of Virginia. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Carran Daughtrey and Alicia Yass.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Nashville Musician Sentenced to 210 Months in Federal Prison for Trying to Molest 7-Year-Old Girl
DALLAS—Abraham Eugene Spear, 31, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced this morning by Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 210 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in February 2013 to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. He has been in custody since his arrest on September 21, 2012, in Dallas, on a related federal criminal complaint. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
According to documents filed in the case, approximately one month before he was to be in Dallas to perform at a local country music establishment, Spear sent a chat request to an undercover officer who was posing online as a “mom of curious girls.” He requested the “mom” send him photos of the girls and later asked the “mom” if she “still need[s] a teacher when I'm down there?”
Spear admitted that over the course of the next few weeks, he communicated, via the Internet and cell phone, with the undercover officer, whom he thought was a mother of two girls, ages 7 and 9. During these communications, many of which were sexual in nature, he persuaded the “mother” to allow him to meet her two girls to engage in different sexual acts with him. On September 20, 2012, Spear traveled from Tennessee to Dallas to perform with a band at a local bar, and he agreed to meet the “mom” at a restaurant in Dallas. After he was positively identified, Spear was arrested by FBI agents.
Spear also acknowledged that he had engaged in sexually explicit communications with other mothers of minor girls, including one where he offered to pay $200 to engage in sexual acts with one mother’s minor daughter.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “Resources.”
According to documents filed in the case, approximately one month before he was to be in Dallas to perform at a local country music establishment, Spear sent a chat request to an undercover officer who was posing online as a “mom of curious girls.” He requested the “mom” send him photos of the girls and later asked the “mom” if she “still need[s] a teacher when I'm down there?”
Spear admitted that over the course of the next few weeks, he communicated, via the Internet and cell phone, with the undercover officer, whom he thought was a mother of two girls, ages 7 and 9. During these communications, many of which were sexual in nature, he persuaded the “mother” to allow him to meet her two girls to engage in different sexual acts with him. On September 20, 2012, Spear traveled from Tennessee to Dallas to perform with a band at a local bar, and he agreed to meet the “mom” at a restaurant in Dallas. After he was positively identified, Spear was arrested by FBI agents.
Spear also acknowledged that he had engaged in sexually explicit communications with other mothers of minor girls, including one where he offered to pay $200 to engage in sexual acts with one mother’s minor daughter.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “Resources.”
Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting a Minor on Ft. Meade Military Base
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles sentenced Daheem Bryant-Royal, age 23, of Ft. Meade, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for sexual abuse of a minor that occurred on the Ft. Meade military base on September 4, 2011. Judge Quarles also ordered that upon his release from prison, Bryant-Royal must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Brigadier General Major General David Quantock, Provost Marshal General of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
On December 18, 2012, a federal jury convicted Bryant-Royal of raping a minor female at a home on the Ft. Meade military base, which is exclusive federal jurisdiction. According to the evidence presented at Bryant-Royal’s four-day trial, the victim was staying at a residence on Ft. Meade. After attending a party, the victim became heavily intoxicated. Witnesses testified that Bryant-Royal entered the bathroom where the victim was taken after she became ill and sexually assaulted her.
The victim immediately reported the rape to her friends, who drove her home. The victim immediately informed her parents and law enforcement officials about the sexual assault and was admitted into a hospital, where a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) was performed. The results of the examination, which were introduced into evidence during trial, indicate that she was sexually assaulted, and DNA evidence recovered from the victim was determined to match Bryant-Royal’s DNA.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at Ft. Meade for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Rachel M. Yasser and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine L. Duey of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, who prosecuted the case.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Brigadier General Major General David Quantock, Provost Marshal General of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
On December 18, 2012, a federal jury convicted Bryant-Royal of raping a minor female at a home on the Ft. Meade military base, which is exclusive federal jurisdiction. According to the evidence presented at Bryant-Royal’s four-day trial, the victim was staying at a residence on Ft. Meade. After attending a party, the victim became heavily intoxicated. Witnesses testified that Bryant-Royal entered the bathroom where the victim was taken after she became ill and sexually assaulted her.
The victim immediately reported the rape to her friends, who drove her home. The victim immediately informed her parents and law enforcement officials about the sexual assault and was admitted into a hospital, where a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) was performed. The results of the examination, which were introduced into evidence during trial, indicate that she was sexually assaulted, and DNA evidence recovered from the victim was determined to match Bryant-Royal’s DNA.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at Ft. Meade for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Rachel M. Yasser and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine L. Duey of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, who prosecuted the case.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Milford Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Pornography
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut, announced that Rolan Sosa, 36, of Milford, was sentenced
today by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to
60 months of imprisonment for receiving and distributing child
pornography. Sosa also was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2011, detectives assigned to the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force in New Haven logged into a publicly available Internet file sharing program and downloaded 14 images of child pornography from a shared directory maintained by Sosa.
On December 15, 2011, Sosa was arrested at his residence in Milford. On that date, law enforcement agents also seized Sosa’s laptop computer. Subsequent analysis of the seized computer revealed 110 images and 134 video files of child pornography. Included in his collection of child pornography were images of children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Forensic review also revealed that Sosa distributed child pornography images and videos through the file sharing program located on his computer.
Sosa has been detained since his arrest. On October 9, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry Kopel.
The Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes against children occurring over the Internet and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. For more information about the task force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2011, detectives assigned to the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force in New Haven logged into a publicly available Internet file sharing program and downloaded 14 images of child pornography from a shared directory maintained by Sosa.
On December 15, 2011, Sosa was arrested at his residence in Milford. On that date, law enforcement agents also seized Sosa’s laptop computer. Subsequent analysis of the seized computer revealed 110 images and 134 video files of child pornography. Included in his collection of child pornography were images of children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Forensic review also revealed that Sosa distributed child pornography images and videos through the file sharing program located on his computer.
Sosa has been detained since his arrest. On October 9, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry Kopel.
The Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes against children occurring over the Internet and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. For more information about the task force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Rock Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography and Destroying Evidence
A man who distributed child pornography and destroyed evidence pled guilty on February 14, 2013, in federal court in Sioux City.
Lennon Slade, age 27, from Rock Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of destruction of evidence.
At the plea hearing, Slade admitted that, between July 2011 and September 2011, he distributed child pornography. In a plea agreement, he admitted that, when officers were attempting to execute a search warrant at his house, he was inside the house destroying evidence.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Slade was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Slade faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, $500,000 in fines, $200 in special assessments, and supervised release for five years to life following his imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 12-4080.
Lennon Slade, age 27, from Rock Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of destruction of evidence.
At the plea hearing, Slade admitted that, between July 2011 and September 2011, he distributed child pornography. In a plea agreement, he admitted that, when officers were attempting to execute a search warrant at his house, he was inside the house destroying evidence.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Slade was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Slade faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, $500,000 in fines, $200 in special assessments, and supervised release for five years to life following his imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 12-4080.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)