N. J. Man Sentenced For Transporting Rhode Island Minor To New Jersey To Engage In Criminal Sexual Activity

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Daniel Berger, 28, of Haskell, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison for travelling interstate for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 13-year old female, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field office of the FBI; Portsmouth, R.I., Police Chief Thomas F. Lee; and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Berger to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term, to register as a sex offender and to pay restitution to the victim’s family in the amount of $909.39, for expenses incurred by the family as a result of this crime.
Berger pled guilty on July 18, 2014, to one count of transportation in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

At the time of his guilty plea, Berger admitted to the court that on July 24, 2013, he traveled from New Jersey to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, to meet with a 13-year-old girl he befriended on the Internet. Berger admitted to the court that he transported the girl to his residence in Haskell, New Jersey, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Local, state and federal law enforcement from Rhode Island and New Jersey began working collaboratively to locate the victim when she was reported missing on the morning of July 24, 2013. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 25, 2013, the victim was located by FBI agents at the defendant’s apartment in Newark, New Jersey.

According to information presented to the court, a roommate of Berger’s pointed out a vehicle being operated by Berger to an FBI Task Force agent. Agents subsequently stopped the vehicle and detained Berger. He has been detained since his arrest.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

Portsmouth, R.I., Police, Rhode Island State Police and FBI agents from Providence and Newark, N.J., were assisted in the investigation and subsequent arrest of Berger by the New Jersey State Police and officers from the Ringwood, Wanaque, Paterson and Clifton, New Jersey Police Departments.

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