Rockland County Predator Gets 16 Years For Enticing 3 Minors To Engage In Sexual Activity

HAVERSTRAW, NY — A Hudson Valley man who went to great lengths to exploit young girls will be going to federal prison.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced on Wednesday that 26-year-old Oscar Mata Lemus, of Haverstraw, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his enticement of three minors to engage in sexual activity. In addition to the prison term, the judge also imposed a 15-year term of post-release supervision.

He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of enticement on Nov. 25.

"Oscar Mata Lemus's conduct is the nightmare of any parent," McDonald said. "Today's sentencing illustrates that we will continue to use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish those who sexually exploit children."

According to court documents, on April 20, 2024, Mata Lemus communicated online with a 14-year-old girl. After telling her that he was 16 years old, he persuaded her to meet him in person to engage in sexual activity. On April 23, 2024, Mata Lemus went to the girl's home in Rockland County, entered her bedroom through a window, and engaged in sexual activity with her.

A federal investigation found that, prior to his abuse of the Rockland County girl, Mata Lemus abused at least two other minors.

In January 2024, Mata Lemus met another 14-year-old through social media, and told them that he was 16 years old. Mata Lemus met the victim in the Bronx several times between January 2024 and April 2024, and they engaged in sexual activity. Prosecutors say that Mata Lemus took photos and videos of the sexual activity, some of which were found on his phone during the investigation.

In June 2023, Mata Lemus met a 15-year-old girl in Mississippi through social media, and told her that he was 17 years old. At Mata Lemus's direction, the girl sent him sexually explicit images of herself. She also participated in several live video sessions, during which Mata Lemus requested that the girl engage in sexual acts for him on camera.

McDonald praised the efforts of the FBI, the Town of Ramapo Police Department, the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of special agents and task force officers from the FBI, U.S. Probation, New York State Police, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the Westchester County DA's Office, Rockland County DA's Office, NYPD, the Westchester County Police Department, and the Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Greenburgh, White Plains, Peekskill, Ramapo, Clarkstown Police Departments, in connection with the investigation.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen in charge of the prosecution.