21-Year-Old Man Guilty Of Attempted Rape Of Hudson Valley 13-Year-Old

CARMEL, NY — A Connecticut man who preyed on a Hudson Valley child has been convicted of sex crimes related to the case.

Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy announced on Wednesday the conviction of 21-year-old Francisco Gomez, of Norwalk, for attempted rape in the second degree and disseminating indecent material to a minor in the first degree as a sexually motivated felony.

Gomez enticed a 13-year-old Putnam County child on social media to engage in sexual activity with him. After the child’s mother discovered the messages, the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security, and Rockland County District Attorney Investigators worked together to apprehend Gomez before he ever had the chance to meet and harm his victim.

On April 3, Gomez believed he was driving to Putnam County to engage in sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old child. He was instead captured by members of law enforcement. Gomez will be sentenced on November 11, to three years in state prison and five years post-release supervision, and will be a registered sex offender.

Special Victims Chief Prosecutor Chana Krauss, who prosecuted the case, reminds parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s social media.

"There are predators lurking online, grooming young children in an attempt to engage in sexual activity with them or to threaten them into sending sexually explicit videos," Krauss warned. "It’s better to have your son or daughter mad at you for being overprotective than risking the dangers sexual predators pose to your kids."

Tendy said his office will continue to ensure that those who attempt to harm our children are swiftly brought to justice.