A Latham man who is also a registered sex offender is now facing federal charges for his alleged attempts to engage a minor in sexual activity. Nathaniel Drescher, 41, was charged last Thursday with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, with additional charges for committing a felony offense against a minor as a registered sex offender. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York, Drescher was ordered to remain detained ahead of his trial.
The indictment alleges that Drescher knowingly tried to persuade and entice what he believed was an 11-year-old child into sexual activity. This indictment disturbingly echoes Drescher's prior 2012 conviction in Johnson County, Texas, for online solicitation of a minor. "This conduct, as alleged, was especially egregious because the defendant had committed a similar offense before in Texas," United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III articulated. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added, "This indictment proves crimes against our most vulnerable will be met with swift and decisive action," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
If convicted of all charges, Drescher could be slapped with a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison and could face a fine of up to $250,000. He would also be subjected to at least five years, potentially even a life term, of supervised release post-incarceration, along with continuing sex offender registration requirements.
The ongoing investigation by the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with the help of the New York State Police, aims to thoroughly explore all aspects of the case. Assistant United States Attorney Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting the case, which is part of the wider effort of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. "With our state and federal law enforcement partners, we will continue to ensure that sex offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent to the law when they commit new crimes," Sarcone stated, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
