BLOOMING GROVE, NY — An Arizona man who targeted and sexually exploited a child in our region will spend years behind bars, after being sentenced on federal charges.
The Blooming Grove Police Department says the case started on Mar. 21, 2022, when a mother contacted them about her 12-year-old daughter having inappropriate text communications with a 22- year-old man who lived in Arizona.
Investigators found that the texts had started five months before, and had taken place across several platforms, including Gmail, Zoom, Discord, and Twitch.
Police say the communications included the exchange of nude photos, and that the man also sent gifts and sex toys to the victim.
The Blooming Grove Police Department identified Sean Jones, of Mesa, Arizona as the suspect, and contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Office/FBI Safe Streets Task Force to assist in the investigation.
The task force found that Jones was actively seeking to come to New York to meet the victim for sexual activities.
After an execution of search warrants, Jones was found to be in possession of child sexual abuse material of the victim.
He was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a child in the Southern District of New York.
After a trial, Jones was sentenced to 96 months in jail and 10 years post-release supervision. He will also be required to register as a sex offender after being released.
"This case should be a reminder to all parents of the predators that exist in the shadows of the internet," the Blooming Grove Police Department said. "Parents need to monitor what their children are doing online and through text."
The Town of Blooming Grove Police Department thanked the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the FBI for their assistance in the investigation.
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