United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on April 6 that Anthony Parente has been charged with coercion and enticement of a minor after allegedly communicating online and by phone with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Parente was taken into federal custody on April 2 and appeared before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court on April 3.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address crimes involving minors and online exploitation. Prosecutors say these types of offenses are treated as a high priority due to the risks they pose to children.
“There is little we take more seriously than protecting our children,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “As alleged, Anthony Parente targeted someone he believed to be a teenaged girl for explicit enticement to participate in sexual activity and then traveled into the Southern District of New York with the intention of engaging in sex with a minor. New Yorkers abhor this alleged conduct; it has no place here. Our prosecutors and our FBI partners are committed to identifying and holding accountable those who attempt to prey on our children.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., said, “Anthony Parente allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a purported minor girl and planned to sexually abuse her before authorities arrested him. The FBI continues to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to hold accountable any sexual predator who targets minors online for perverted gratification.”
According to allegations presented in the complaint, Parente was identified during a multi-agency operation beginning March 27, when he communicated via chat applications, text messages, and phone calls with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. Authorities allege that over six days he discussed his sexual preferences, provided instructions regarding them, requested nude photographs from Officer-1 (the undercover officer), sent photos of himself including his face, arranged an encounter for sex, drove approximately two hours for the meeting location where he was arrested by state police officers carrying bondage equipment.
Parente reportedly admitted after being advised of his rights that he had communicated believing it was a minor and intended intercourse.
The statutory minimum sentence for coercion and enticement of a minor is ten years imprisonment; the maximum is life imprisonment as prescribed by Congress but final sentencing will be determined by the judge if convicted.
Clayton praised investigative work from multiple agencies involved including FBI New York Office Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force; New York State Police Troop F – Computer Crimes Unit; Community Stabilization Unit; FBI Albany Field Office; New York State Police Troop G; U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of New York.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Briggs is leading prosecution through the White Plains Division office.
Authorities remind members of the public that charges are accusations only: “The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
