Frascatore Gets 18 Months for Email Slip-Up, Sex Offender Violations

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael J. Frascatore, 59, of Treadwell, New York, is headed back to prison. The Delaware County resident received an 18-month sentence today after admitting he deliberately concealed an email address from authorities, a violation of his obligations as a registered sex offender. The case, spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, highlights the relentless pursuit of even seemingly minor infractions by those with prior convictions.

Frascatore’s legal troubles stem from a 2008 federal conviction for distributing child pornography, which designated him as a Level I sex offender. As such, he was legally bound to report all email addresses used to authorities. In April 2019, Frascatore created an account using his name and home address, maintaining it for roughly four years without notifying the proper channels. This wasn’t simply an oversight; it was a direct breach of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

But the email address was just the tip of the iceberg. Frascatore was already on supervised release at the time of the offense and failed to disclose the email to his U.S. Probation officer. The investigation revealed a pattern of disregard for the law. He also possessed an unauthorized internet-capable phone and, most disturbingly, engaged in online communication with minors. According to court documents, this included sending explicit photos of himself to underage individuals and soliciting nude photos in return – behavior that ratcheted up the severity of his violations.

The 18-month sentence is broken down into two parts: 8 months for the new criminal charge of failing to register and update his information, and a consecutive 10 months for the violations of his supervised release. The judge also tacked on a further 10 years of supervised release, ensuring Frascatore remains under scrutiny long after he leaves prison. This isn’t just about an email address; it’s about a pattern of behavior that demonstrated a clear disregard for the safety of children.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry. It falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006. Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice. The program’s goal is not just prosecution, but also the identification and rescue of victims.

For those seeking more information about Project Safe Childhood and its ongoing efforts to protect children, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly minor violations of sex offender registration requirements can have serious consequences, and that authorities are actively monitoring compliance to protect vulnerable populations.