A Pennsylvania man has been indicted on federal charges for traveling to Ohio with the intent to have sex with a 15-year-old girl, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today. Carmen J. Sagnimeni, 38, of Mercer, Penn., stands accused of using a cell phone with Internet access to lure, pressure, and coerce the underage victim into illegal sexual activity.
Federal prosecutors allege that on December 15, 2016, Sagnimeni knowingly crossed state lines from Pennsylvania into Ohio for the sole purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with the minor. The indictment details a calculated effort to exploit a child, using digital communication to build a predatory connection before making the trip.
Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, confirmed the charges, emphasizing that such crimes trigger aggressive federal prosecution. Sagnimeni is charged with both enticement of a minor and interstate travel for illegal sexual activity—felonies that carry severe penalties under federal law.
The investigation was conducted by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. These agencies routinely collaborate to track and apprehend predators who use technology to target minors across state lines.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan is leading the prosecution. If convicted, Sagnimeni’s sentence will be determined by the court, factoring in his role in the offense, any prior criminal record, and the specifics of the case. While the statutory maximum penalty applies, actual sentences are often lower based on federal guidelines.
An indictment is not a conviction. Sagnimeni is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, where the government bears the burden of proving each charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The case remains active as it moves toward trial.
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