Repeat Sex Offender Gets 15 Years In Federal Enticement Case Involving 15-Year-Old Hudson Valley Girl

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — An Illinois repeat sex offender who targeted a Hudson Valley girl won't be sexually exploiting children again anytime soon.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that Dereck Hasselbraink, a/k/a "Derek Spear," was sentenced to 15 years in prison in federal court for enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

"Sexual exploitation of children is a heinous crime," Clayton said. "New Yorkers want sexual predators who target minors arrested promptly, prosecuted rigorously, and sentenced in line with horrific nature of their crimes. Thanks to our prosecutors, Hasselbrink will not threaten our children for a long time. If you suspect sexual exploitation, please reach out to our law enforcement partners."

From April 2023 to July 2, 2023, Hasselbrink, a previously convicted sex offender, engaged in sexually explicit message conversations with a 15-year-old girl, and traveled to meet her near her home in Dutchess County, to engage in sexual activity.

In addition to the prison term, the 49-year-old, from Quincy, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 years of supervised release.

Clayton praised the efforts of the FBI, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, the Quincy, Illinois Police Department, the Adams County States Attorney's Office, Carroll County Job and Family Services, the Office of the Attorney General of Kentucky, the Springfield, Illinois Field Office of the FBI, and the Canton, Ohio Resident Agency of the FBI in connection with this investigation.

The case is being handled by the Southern District of New York Office's White Plains Division.

Anyone with information concerning the sexual exploitation of children is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or online.