ALBANY, NY – Michael E. Robbins, II, 27, of Schenectady, New York, admitted today to a sickening attempt to prey on a child. Robbins pled guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, a federal offense carrying a potentially life-altering sentence. The guilty plea came on the very day his trial was scheduled to begin, a last-ditch effort to avoid facing a jury.
According to court documents, Robbins engaged in a disturbing pattern of online grooming between February and March 2021. He targeted an undercover officer posing as a 12-year-old girl, exchanging sexually explicit messages in a calculated attempt to lure her into sexual acts. The investigation, spearheaded by the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), revealed Robbins initially made contact with the “minor” within an online chat group catering to teens in the 518 area code.
The depravity didn’t stop at online communication. Robbins went so far as to arrange a meeting on March 18, 2021, in Latham, New York. He traveled from Rensselaer, fully intending to carry out his vile plan with the presumed 12-year-old. Fortunately, law enforcement was waiting. Robbins was arrested immediately upon arrival at the designated location, cutting short a potentially devastating encounter.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi announced the guilty plea, a victory for those dedicated to protecting vulnerable children. The case was meticulously built by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting the case.
Robbins now faces a grim future. United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby will hand down the sentence on July 13, 2023. The potential penalties are severe: a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release ranging from 5 years to life. The judge will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors when determining the final punishment.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The project aims to marshal resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children online, and to rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to protect our children.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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