BUFFALO, N.Y. – James A. Chapman, 37, of Jamestown, NY, is facing a lifetime behind bars after a federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment charging him with a horrifying array of offenses: enticement of a minor, sex trafficking of a minor, production and distribution of child pornography, and lying to federal investigators. The charges stem from a pattern of predatory behavior spanning several years, turning vulnerable children into victims.
According to the indictment, Chapman, also known as “Fatz Guy” and “Perverted Doe,” attempted to coerce a minor into prostitution and sexual activity between November 24 and November 25, 2014. He didn’t stop there. He actively recruited two additional minor victims – identified as Victim 1 and Victim 2 – to engage in commercial sex acts, and then allegedly filmed their exploitation. The indictment details that Chapman subsequently distributed images of this encounter, a sickening display of callous disregard for the victims’ wellbeing.
The depravity continued. Between December 14, 2016, and April 7, 2017, Chapman distributed child pornography depicting Victims 1 and 2. Then, on April 7, 2017, he coerced a third minor victim (Victim 3) into performing sexually explicit acts specifically for the purpose of creating visual depictions. He then possessed, received, and distributed images of Victim 3, further compounding the abuse. This wasn’t a momentary lapse; it was a calculated, repeated exploitation of children.
Adding insult to injury, on January 24, 2018, Chapman brazenly lied to a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent, claiming he believed Victims 1 and 2 were 18 years old – a blatant falsehood he knew to be untrue. Authorities also discovered that Chapman possessed images of child pornography on both his cellular telephone and social media accounts, indicating a widespread and deeply disturbing pattern of behavior.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango is prosecuting the case, and Chapman was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer this afternoon. He is currently being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 12, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. If convicted, Chapman faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life, and a $250,000 fine. This predator will answer for his crimes.
The FBI Buffalo office is urging anyone with information regarding Chapman’s contact with minors to come forward. Contact them at 716-856-7800 and press zero (0) to speak with an agent about the case. The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin P. Lyons, and the Jamestown Police Department, led by Chief Harry Snellings. It is crucial to remember that an indictment is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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