Martin Connearney, Traveling to Meet Minor for Sex, New York 2022

Man Arrested and Charged with Traveling to Meet Minor for Sex

A 32-year-old man from Western Massachusetts has been arrested and charged with traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor. Martin Connearney, of Lenox, Massachusetts, was arrested yesterday by law enforcement officials in New York.

The criminal complaint alleges that between April 6, 2022, and May 4, 2022, Connearney exchanged text messages with another person in which he expressed interest in engaging in sexual conduct with a child. The two individuals discussed plans for Connearney to travel from Massachusetts to New York to meet at a prearranged location and engage in sexual acts with the child.

Connearney was arrested on May 5, 2022, after he drove from Lenox to New York, where he was encountered by law enforcement officials. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart today and was ordered detained after waiving his right to a detention hearing.

The charge filed against Connearney carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

Connearney's exact sentence or outcome is unknown at this time. He is currently being held without bail.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/western-massachusetts-man-charged-traveling-meet-minor-sex-0