STAFF REPORTS
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Charlie P. Conant, 27, of Syracuse, NY, who was convicted of attempted online enticement of a minor, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison and 25 years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that on February 27, 2018, an undercover New York State Police Investigator (UC) discovered a personal ad traced to the defendant on a Syracuse, NY, website that appeared to be targeting minors for sex. Posing as a 12-year-old female, the UC began communicating with Conant who asked for pictures. Communication between the UC and Conant continued via text message, as the defendant also asked for more pictures including naked photos.
On May 15, 2018, the defendant sent text messages to the UC indicating that he wanted to meet with the child in Seneca Falls, NY, for the purpose of having sex. On June 14, 2018, the defendant traveled to Seneca Falls to meet the UC while “the minor’s” grandmother was supposedly at work. After Conant arrived, he was arrested.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eric Laughton, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
