Robert Pritchett, 21, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography in federal court, admitting to a years-long campaign of sexual exploitation targeting underage girls across New York and New Jersey. The charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years, according to Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, in October 2015, Pritchett used the alias “Jess Allen” to lure Victim 1, a 17-year-old female from New Jersey, into traveling to Buffalo under false pretenses. After picking her up at a bus station on November 6, 2015, he engaged in sexual activity with her and took her to a motel in Tonawanda, NY, where he forced her into prostitution. During the encounter, Pritchett used the victim’s own Apple iPhone to record explicit footage.
Pritchett’s predatory behavior spanned years and multiple platforms. In June 2014, using the messaging app Kik, he obtained sexually explicit photos from a 14-year-old girl, Victim 2, also from Buffalo. That contact led to interactions with Victim 3, a 15-year-old friend of Victim 2. On July 3, 2014, while at the Galleria Mall attempting to get Pritchett to delete the images, Victim 3 was subjected to repeated sexual acts by Pritchett in a movie theater and near a department store loading dock.
Between November 2013 and March 2014, Pritchett used the video chat app ooVoo to communicate with a 15-year-old female from East Aurora, identified as Victim 4. During live video sessions, she engaged in sexually explicit conduct while Pritchett captured two screenshots of the activity and stored them on his cell phone, further evidencing his intent to produce and retain child pornography.
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen, alongside detectives from the Cheektowaga Police Department, led by Chief David Zack. Digital forensics and witness testimony uncovered the full scope of Pritchett’s exploitation, which spanned multiple jurisdictions and online platforms.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 17, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. With a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, Pritchett faces a likely life-altering prison term as federal authorities continue to crack down on the sexual exploitation of minors.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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