Damian Williams, america Lawyer for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Cost of the New York Workplace of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), introduced costs in opposition to EFREM ZELONY-MINDELL for tried enticement of 1 minor boy in Manhattan, New York, and possession and distribution of kid pornography. ZELONY-MINDELL was arrested this morning and will likely be offered in Manhattan federal court docket as we speak earlier than U.S. Chief Justice of the Peace Choose James L. Cott.
U.S. Lawyer Damian Williams stated: “Zelony-Mindell allegedly tried to interact in sexual exercise with a nine-year-old boy. The safety of youngsters from predation stays of vital significance to this Workplace, and we are going to proceed to make use of our assets and work with our legislation enforcement companions to carry offenders to justice.”
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll stated: “As alleged, Mr. Zelony-Mindell’s actions are practically unfathomable. By means of a collection of conversations with undercover FBI brokers performed on encrypted messaging platforms, he acknowledged his want to have intercourse with minor youngsters, and he in the end met with one of many brokers who he believed would offer him a chance to take action. Right now’s motion ought to function a reminder to anybody who seeks to prey on youngsters – the FBI Human Trafficking and Baby Exploitation Activity Pressure and our legislation enforcement companions will proceed to aggressively pursue you and maintain you accountable.”
Based on the allegations within the Criticism charging ZELONY-MINDELL:[1]
On or about April 29, 2022, a person recognized to be ZELONY-MINDELL initiated a collection of conversations with an undercover FBI Particular Agent (“UC-1”) on an encrypted messaging service. In these conversations, ZELONY-MINDELL repeatedly expressed, in graphic and unambiguous phrases, his want to interact in sexual exercise with minor youngsters and despatched UC-1 quite a few photographs and movies containing little one pornography.
On or about Might 9, 2022, UC-1 despatched ZELONY-MINDELL, over the encrypted messaging service, the username of a second undercover FBI Particular Agent (“UC-2”), posing as the daddy of a nine-year-old boy. ZELONY-MINDELL contacted UC-2 over the encrypted messaging service the identical day and made clear that he was involved in having intercourse with the nine-year-old little one. Subsequently, ZELONY-MINDELL and UC-2 had quite a few communications, together with over the encrypted messaging service, by textual content message, and over the cellphone. Throughout these conversations, ZELONY-MINDELL made clear that he wished to interact in sexual exercise, together with particularly anal intercourse, with UC-2’s purported little one. When informed by UC-2 that the kid can be “knocked out just a little bit” on sleep remedy through the deliberate sexual exercise, ZELONY-MINDELL agreed to have intercourse with the drugged little one.
UC-2 and ZELONY-MINDELL organized to satisfy at on a road nook in decrease Manhattan on the morning of December 16, 2022, with the understanding that they might return to UC-2’s condo afterward and ZELONY-MINDELL would then have interaction in sexual exercise with the kid. On the morning in query, ZELONY-MINDELL met a 3rd FBI Particular Agent (“UC-3”) on the agreed-upon location, at which era legislation enforcement arrested ZELONY-MINDELL.
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ZELONY-MINDELL, 35, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, is charged with one depend of tried enticement of a minor to interact in unlawful sexual exercise, which carries a compulsory minimal sentence of 10 years in jail and a most sentence of life in jail; one depend of distribution of kid pornography, which carries a compulsory minimal sentence of 5 years in jail and a most sentence of 20 years in jail; and one depend of possession of kid pornography, which carries a most sentence of 20 years in jail.
The minimal and most potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are supplied right here for informational functions solely, as any sentencing of the defendant will likely be decided by a decide.
Mr. Williams praised the excellent investigative work of the FBI, and, specifically, the members of the Human Trafficking and Baby Exploitation Activity Pressure.
The prosecution of this case is being dealt with by the Workplace’s Basic Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Lawyer Lisa Daniels is in command of the prosecution.
The fees contained within the Criticism are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.
[1] Because the introductory phrase signifies, the whole thing of the textual content of the Criticism, and the outline of the Criticism set forth herein, represent solely allegations, and each reality described ought to be handled as an allegation.
