A Rome, New York man is facing serious federal charges after being arrested for the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor and receipt of child pornography. John Secor, Jr., 44, was arraigned in federal court where the charges were formally read. According to an announcement by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Secor, Jr. was detained pending further proceedings after his court appearance last Friday.
The complaint against Secor details how the interactions began with a 16-year-old girl through online chats starting around May. Investigative efforts outline that these communications took a turn as they quickly shifted toward a sexual nature, wherein, Secor, Jr. urged the minor to produce and send him explicit material. He also is accused of trying to arrange a sexual encounter with the girl. It is critical to remember that these charges are just that – allegations, and that Secor, Jr. maintains his presumption of innocence unless proven guilty, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The gravity of the crimes levied against Secor, Jr. carries significant legal repercussions with the receipt charge including a mandatory minimum of five years and potentially up to 20 years of imprisonment, in addition to fines that could ascend to $250,000. The exploitation charge is even more stringent with a minimum sentence of 15 years, which may extend up to 30 years, possibly combined with a lifetime of supervised release after incarceration. If convicted, Secor, Jr. will be permanently listed on the sex offender registry.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III highlighted the importance of the collaborative efforts that led to the charges, thanking HSI and the NYSP for their work in bringing a dangerous sexual predator to justice and protecting a child. Sarcone described the alleged conduct by Secor as reprehensible and emphasized the commitment to holding him accountable. The case is being prosecuted under federal charges, a strategic approach differing from the recent focus on New York State's bail reforms over the past eight years.
Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan described crimes of this nature as among the most serious offenses. Keegan emphasized HSI's commitment to using its investigative expertise and partnerships to combat child exploitation. The collaborative efforts involve federal, state, and local agencies working together to identify and apprehend predators, supporting a justice system prepared to address these violations. This work is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative focused on combating child exploitation and abuse.
As the prosecution proceeds, Assistant United States Attorney Adrian LaRochelle is handling the government's case. The investigation will continue through the joint efforts of HSI and the New York State Police.
