Clarence man arrested, charged with attempting to have sex with a 12-year-old

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Daniel Gregory, 33, of Clarence, NY, was arrested and charged with online enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 6, 2025, the North Tonawanda Police Department learned that a person named “Daniel Gregory” was sending messages to other Facebook users asking the following question: “You know any NT teens I could hook up with? 13-16” Detectives traced the messages to the defendant. On January 9, 2025, an undercover law enforcement officer created a Facebook profile under the name “Alexis Jones,” and sent Gregory a friend request, which he subsequently accepted. Gregory started sending messages to “Alexis Jones” via Facebook messenger. After sending messages, Gregory began attempting to video call “Alexis Jones” and asked for “Alexis Jones” to call him. No video calls were answered, all communication was done electronically through Facebook messenger. In the subsequent weeks, Gregory consistently attempted to coordinate a meeting with “Alexis Jones,” who he believed was 12 years old. He also repeatedly attempted to video call and sent explicit photos of himself to the undercover account. Some of the conversations between Gregory and the undercover law enforcement officer were sexual in nature. 

On February 3, 2025, Gregory arranged to meet “Alexis Jones” at an apartment in the City of Tonawanda to engage in sexual activity. When Gregory arrived at the apartment, North Tonawanda detectives were waiting and took him into custody. They also seized Gregory’s cell phone. 

In May 2019, Gregory was convicted of Harassment in the 2nd Degree, in Cheektowaga Town Court, for contacting a minor victim on social media, and attempting to pursue a romantic relationship with the minor for approximately two years. 

Gregory made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was remanded back into the custody of New York State. Gregory is currently charged with attempted rape in Niagara County related to this case. 

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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