Peter Bardunias, a Clifton Park man who held the position of Senior Vice President of Community Advancement for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, faced charges today. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, he was charged with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity.
The allegations stem from Bardunias' communications with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl. Over a period of two weeks, Bardunias sent messages discussing violent and sadistic sexual activity he wished to perform on the minor. "This man’s alleged crimes are shocking, and our prosecutors will ensure he faces severe consequences for his evil conduct towards an innocent child," stated Attorney General Pamela Bondi, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office press release.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli revealed that Bardunias was taken into custody after traveling to Warren County with the intention of meeting the individual he believed to be a minor. In a disturbing turn, a subsequent search of Bardunias' residence uncovered a box of sex toys, which included items one might associate with the torture chamber Bardunias described in his messages to the undercover officer.
Bardunias' initial appearance happened today before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista in Albany. As part of the judicial process, the court has pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday. The charges, though serious, stand as only allegations at this stage. "The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," the press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office reminds the public.
The case continues under the vigilant auspices of the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force and forms part of Project Safe Childhood's initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse online. Those with additional information on the case or subject are encouraged to contact the FBI office as the investigation progresses.
