An Ithaca man has been taken into custody on serious charges relating to child exploitation. David Pastorello, 44, is facing federal charges of enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography, per an announcement from Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli. The allegations note that Pastorello sent sexual texts to a girl under the age of 12, coaxing her to engage in sexual activities with him.
Pastorello, additionally, is accused of having entered the young victim’s apartment without consent—an act that situates his alleged offenses not just in the digital sphere, but also within the haunting proximity of the physical world. Despite previous charges related to the possession of child sexual performance material and disseminating indecent material to a minor, Pastorello was out on bond during the time of the new offenses highlighted by the recent federal charges, according to a report by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York.
"Thanks to the quick work of federal, state, and local law enforcement, children have been protected and a dangerous predator has been apprehended," Sarcone III conveyed in a statement. It was noted that Pastorello, despite previous crimes, had been allowed to be out of custody by state authorities—a decision now sharply scrutinized given the gravity of these new charges. If convicted, the enticement charge may result in a life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years, while the distribution charge commands a mandatory minimum of 5 years, and up to 20 years in prison, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigation that led to Pastorello's arrest was a collaborative effort involving the FBI and New York State Police, under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative focused on the growing issue of child sexual abuse through the Internet. "Mr. Pastorello, a repeat offender with an alarming criminal history, is a dangerous predator who is now facing serious federal charges," Tremaroli highlighted. The FBI affirms its dedication to leveraging partnerships to bring the full weight of the federal government down on such predators, aiming to shield our communities from harm, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Following his initial court appearance, Pastorello was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending further proceedings. Pastorello's defense will unfold in the courts, where his presumption of innocence stands until proven guilty.
