Rochester Man Indicted For Enticement Of A Minor

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Faycal Taouzinet, 26, of  Rochester, NY, with enticement of a minor using a means and facility of interstate commerce, attempted production of child pornography and attempted receipt of child pornography. The enticement charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine. 

“This case once again shows the dangers facing our young children while using technology,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “At the same time, it demonstrates the best defense to those threats: the active involvement of a parent or trusted adult.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, in June 2015, the mother of a 13 year old minor advised the Rochester Police Department that her child was communicating with two men.  According to the mother, one of the two men, Taouzinet, was a clerk at a local corner store. Officers reviewed the minor’s phone and uncovered texts between the minor and Taouzinet to include sexually explicit chats and chats where the minor had sent sexually explicit pictures to Taouzinet. 

An officer, assuming the minor’s identity, engaged in texts with Taouzinet and arranged for a meeting to occur on June 22, 2015. The defendant did not show up at the arranged time but texted later and asked to meet. Taouzinet was observed by officers later that date and confronted and arrested.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force which includes members of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Rochester Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Greece Police Department. 

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.