Rochester Man Charged With Attempted Online Enticement Of A Minor, Attempted Production Of Child Pornography, And Transportation Of Child Pornography

Albany, New York —United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Joseph D’Amico, Superintendent of New York State Police, announce the filing of a three-count criminal Complaint charging JASON FRANK, age 27, of Rochester, New York, with the attempted online enticement of a minor, the attempted production of child pornography, and the transportation of child pornography. 1 According to the Complaint, between about February 2013 and April 2013, FRANK engaged in online chats with an undercover New York State Police investigator posing as a twelve year old girl. FRANK’s online chats urged the twelve year old girl to meet him for an encounter in which FRANK would perform oral sex on the girl and then have sexual intercourse with the girl. On or about April 9, 2013, FRANK attempted to produce images of child pornography when he showed up at a Syracuse hotel in possession of a digital camera, expecting to meet the twelve year old girl for purposes of a sexual encounter that would be filmed. Finally, between about February 2013 and April 2013 FRANK transported files of child pornography to the undercover investigator by sending the undercover investigator multiple still image files of child pornography via the Internet.

If found guilty of attempted online enticement of a minor, the defendant faces a statutory minium of at least ten years imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00. If found guilty of attempted production of child pornography, the defendant faces a statutory minium of at least fifteen years imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of thirty years imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00. If found guilty of transporting child pornography, the defendant faces a statutory minimum of at least five years imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00.

FRANK had his initial appearance in Albany on May 23, 2013 before the Honorable Christian F. Hummel, United States Magistrate Judge. FRANK was detained pending his next court apperance.

This case was investigated by the New York State Police .This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.

LOCAL CONTACT:
Rick Belliss
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Tel: (518) 431-0247

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¹The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.