A Loudonville man is facing a federal felony charge after prosecutors say he drove roughly two hours to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old for sex. Anthony Parente, 30, was arrested on April 2 at the arranged meetup spot, according to authorities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has charged him with coercion and enticement of a minor, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars.
“Our prosecutors and our FBI partners share an unwavering commitment to protecting our children from sexual abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “If you seek to exploit a minor in New York, you will be found and prosecuted.” https://x.com/i/status/2041274352990097771
— U.S. Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) April 6, 2026
Feds Say Undercover Officer Posed as 14-Year-Old in Explicit Chats
According to a criminal complaint and press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Parente allegedly began communicating with an undercover officer he believed was a 14-year-old through chat apps, iMessage and Telegram. Prosecutors say he requested nude photos, discussed specific sexual acts and ultimately arranged an in-person meeting. “There is little we take more seriously than protecting our children,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in the office’s statement, crediting federal prosecutors and the FBI with coordinating the investigation.
Chat Logs, Phone Calls and a Sting in a Parking Lot
The complaint filed in federal court in White Plains includes excerpts of messages and calls in which Parente, identifying himself as “Anthony,” allegedly traded a phone number with the undercover officer, then shifted the conversation to Telegram before locking in a time and place to meet. In one message quoted in the filing, he wrote, “I love speaking choking hair pulling, spitting, all lightly nothing crazy.” Prosecutors say he then drove to the agreed location, where New York State Police arrested him and found bondage equipment on his person. After being advised of his rights, Parente allegedly admitted that he intended to engage in oral and vaginal intercourse with someone he believed to be 14. The complaint states these communications and the planned meetup form the factual basis for the charge, and the filed document lays out the evidence in detail.
Single Federal Charge Carries at Least a Decade in Prison
Parente is charged with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). The complaint notes that Congress has set a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for that offense. The case is being prosecuted by the White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Briggs assigned. The charge is an allegation, and Parente is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
How to Report Suspected Online Exploitation
Authorities are urging anyone who encounters similar online behavior to save any messages or images and contact law enforcement. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s online tips page. Federal prosecutors and the FBI say coordinated operations like this one are part of continuing efforts to identify people who target minors online and bring them into federal court.
