Austin Pratt, Enticement of a Minor and Child Pornography, New York 2019

A former school athletic trainer has been indicted on multiple charges, including enticing a minor and production of child pornography.

Austin Pratt, 30, of Conesus, NY, was charged in a five-count indictment with enticement of a minor, production, receipt, and possession of child pornography, and transfer of obscene matter to a minor. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, Pratt began texting the victim, a teenage girl, in November 2018. The texts started out innocently, but soon turned explicit, with Pratt sending nude photographs of himself to the victim using Instagram.

The victim, who was 16 years younger than Pratt, told investigators that she and Pratt engaged in sexual intercourse on January 7, 2019, at her home. Pratt's texts to the victim were full of admissions of guilt and admissions of his desire to be with her, despite knowing it was wrong.

Some of the text messages between Pratt and the victim included: 'I seriously cannot stop thinking about you or wanting you... I love talking to you and being around you and all I want is to be with you.' Pratt also told the victim, 'Nothing would happen to you lol. My life would be ruined.' When the victim responded, 'You get divorce papers and 20 years in jail,' Pratt replied, 'Yuppppp... gotta be super sneaky.'

Pratt was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman and was released on conditions.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eric Laughton, the Rochester Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, and the Livingston County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of District Attorney Gregory J. McCaffrey.

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.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/grand-jury-indicts-former-school-athletic-trainer-multiple-charges-including-enticing