Thomas Cesiro, Attempting to Entice a Minor, New York 2020

ALBANY, NEW YORK – In a shocking turn of events, a 68-year-old Vermont man has been convicted of attempting to entice or coerce a minor. Thomas Cesiro, a resident of Rutland, Vermont, was found guilty of the heinous crime following a three-day jury trial.

The evidence presented in court established that between October 10 and October 20, 2020, Cesiro exchanged over 1,000 text messages and 9 phone calls with undercover investigators posing as a 12-year-old girl and her adult mother. During a phone call, Cesiro instructed the girl on how to conduct a sexual act.

On October 20, 2020, Cesiro traveled to Bennington, Vermont, to meet the purported mother and child, bringing with him various sexual toys and gifts, including a vibrating Frozen-themed toothbrush. He was arrested by law enforcement officials upon his arrival at the arranged meeting location.

Cesiro faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, when United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences him on February 15, 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, including investigators from the Colonie Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, and New York State Police. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Williams and Richard Belliss.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.

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