New York Man Charged With Traveling to Burlington County for Sex With Underage Girl

A Manhattan man was charged after he traveled to Burlington County in New Jersey to engage with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl to have a sexual relationship, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced on Thursday.

Michael Tway Smith, 66, of New York, was arrested by special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) in Maple Shade, where he expected to meet the girl.

Smith initiated contact with an undercover agent from ICE HSI, whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl on Nov. 13, according to the complaint.

In the ensuing days, Smith had multiple online communications with the agent during which he indicated his desire to engage in sexual activity with the fictitious girl. Smith then made arrangements to travel from Manhattan to Maple Shade.

On Nov. 19, Smith traveled to Maple Shade, where he had reserved a room at a motel and contacted the fictitious girl to finalize the meeting.

On Thursday, Smith went to a convenience store near the motel believing he was going to meet the girl.

The count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Fishman credited special agents of ICE HSI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge John P. Woods in Newark, with the investigation leading to the arrest.