Registered Sex Offender From Kansas Traveled To Hudson Valley To Sexually Abuse 15-Year-Old

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — A 36-year-old Kansas registered sex offender is off to federal prison for sexually abusing a Hudson Valley teen.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on Wednesday that Curtis Ellington was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a U.S. District Judge for his enticement of a 15-year-old minor to engage in sexual activity, and for committing the offense while being required to register as a sex offender.

"Children deserve protection from those who would exploit them," Clayton said. "There is zero tolerance for this heinous conduct. Our Office will pursue every lead, use every tool, and bring every resource to bear to ensure that predators like Curtis Ellington are removed from our communities. If you suspect sexual exploitation, please reach out to our law enforcement partners."

Ellington was convicted on Jan. 12, 2007, in Orange County Court, of rape in the first degree: intercourse with a person less than 11 years old. He was sentenced to seven years in prison at the time.

As a result of the 2007 conviction, Ellington was required to register as a sex offender.

On or about April 7, 2023, Ellington, who had traveled to Orange County, from Kansas, slept at the home of a 15-year-old. While there, he engaged in sexual activity with the victim.

Before engaging in sexual activity with the most recent victim, Ellington communicated with his victim on Instagram. In those communications, he discussed a desire to engage in sexual activity with the victim.

In addition to the prison term, the Junction City, Kansas man was sentenced to 15 years of supervised release.

Clayton praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Middletown Police Department, the Geary County Sheriff's Office in Junction City, Kansas, the New York State Police, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas in connection with this investigation.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office's White Plains Division.

Anyone with information about the sexual exploitation of children is urged to call 1-800-Call-FBI.