'Every Parent's Nightmare': Feds Charge Hudson Valley 27-Year-Old With Coercion And Enticement Of A Minor

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A Hudson Valley man's disturbing online exchange has led to federal charges.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY, Jay Clayton, announced the arrest of 27-year-old Gregory Graff, of Poughkeepsie, on Wednesday, in connection with online communications he had with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, in which he attempted to meet her for sex.

He was presented before a judge in White Plains federal court and detained.

"Gregory Graff is every parent's nightmare," Clayton. "He allegedly used the internet to convince an individual, whom he believed to be a minor, to meet him for sexual activity. This prosecution shows that we will use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish to the fullest extent of the law those who exploit New York's most vulnerable citizens: our children. There may be other victims. If you have information to report, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov."

According to the complaint, on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, a New York State Police investigator posed as a 13-year-old girl named "Sammi" on a social media app, and communicated with Graff.

Prosecutors say that during those communications, Graff asked "Sammi" for sexually explicit photos, and said that he wanted to meet with her to have sex.

During the conversations, the investigator mentioned several times that she was 13 years old, and that she was in eighth-grade. At one point, Graff told the undercover investigator, "It's risky to talk to you but it's quite hot."

Graff described in detail the various sexual activities that he wanted to engage in with the 13-year-old, and said that he wanted her to call him "daddy" during sex, prosecutors said.

He also sent several sexually explicit photos, in addition to photos of his face, prosecutors said.

The DOJ says that on Jan. 21, Graff made plans to meet "Sammi" in Orange County. However, on Jan. 22, when he arrived at the meeting spot, Graff was arrested by the New York State Police.

He was then charged in the Town of Wallkill with second-degree attempted rape; attempted act in the manner to injure a child less than 17; and first-degree disseminating indecent material to minors.

Federal prosecutors say Graff faces 10 years to life in prison for the charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

Authorities believe there may be other victims. If anyone has information about this case, they can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the website.

Clayton praised the efforts of the FBI's New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the New York State Police Troop F – Computer Crimes Unit, New York State Police Troop K, the Orange County District Attorney's Office, and the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office.

The prosecution is being handled by the office's White Plains Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marcia S. Cohen and John Wynne in charge of the prosecution.