Max Paul Levine, Interstate Transport for Sex, West Virginia 2020

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A New York man has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for taking a West Virginia teenager across state lines for sex.

Max Paul Levine, 36, was sentenced to 235 months of incarceration for his role in the interstate transport of a minor for sex. Levine, who also went by the aliases “James Connely” and “Noxx Nocten,” had previously pled guilty to the crime in October 2020.

The crime occurred in June 2019, when Levine transported a 15-year-old girl from her home in Harrison County, West Virginia to his residence in the Bronx, New York, with the intention of engaging in sexual activity.

“Levine preyed on the most vulnerable, a teenaged girl. The sentence in this case is a just one and will prevent him from hurting anyone else. Many predators use today’s technology to find and groom victims. Even with the most diligent parents, predators can find a way into your children’s lives. Look for apps that look suspicious, ask questions, and keep an open line of communication,” said Randolph J. Bernard, Acting United States Attorney.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. The initiative brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online and to identify and rescue victims.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated the crime, which was presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley.

Levine’s sentence is a result of his guilty plea and subsequent conviction. The crime of transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes is a serious offense that carries severe penalties. In this case, Levine will spend nearly two decades in prison for his actions.

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