Ashley K. Whitaker, 49, was sentenced in Syracuse, New York, to 30 months in prison for making false statements on written monthly reports to the United States Probation Office. The sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia.
Whitaker, originally from Lexington, Kentucky, was previously prosecuted in the Northern District of New York in 2008 for receiving sexually explicit images of a minor from Oswego County. After serving a ten-year sentence for that conviction, he lived in Syracuse under supervision by United States Probation. Due to his prior conviction, Whitaker is classified as a Level 2 sex offender in New York and must register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services. He is required to disclose all internet identifiers and accounts as part of this registration.
Following his release from prison, Whitaker created and used an email account that he did not report to either the registry or U.S. Probation. Over several written monthly reports, he falsely claimed compliance with his registration obligations.
In addition to the 30-month sentence for making false statements, Whitaker received a consecutive 24-month imprisonment term for violating the terms of supervised release related to his underlying sex offense conviction. He will also serve three years of supervised release on the false statement charge and ten years on the supervised release violation charge. Whitaker remains subject to ongoing sex offender registration requirements.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Sex offender registration, and truthful compliance with United States Probation is an important part of a sex offender’s sentence. These guardrails are put in place to protect the public and to monitor an offender’s transition back into society. These are simple requirements. When sex offenders fail to comply, we will hold them accountable.”
Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia said: “The protection of our communities, especially our most vulnerable populations, remains one of our highest priorities. The U.S. Marshals Sex Offender Investigative Division collaborates closely with federal, state, and local partners to track offenders, enforce sex offender registration laws, and to ensure compliance with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. These efforts are central to the Marshals Service mission of protecting communities and reducing the risk posed by offenders who attempt to evade accountability. The United States Marshals Service will continue to dedicate resources to locating and apprehending sex offenders nationwide, ensuring that those who violate federal law are brought to justice.”
The case was investigated by both the United States Marshal Service and the United States Probation Office; Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher is prosecuting.
Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative led by U.S Attorneys’ Offices together with other federal agencies aiming at addressing child sexual exploitation crimes committed online or otherwise (more information at https://www.justice.gov/psc).
