A Rochester man has pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography, a federal crime with severe penalties.
Vernon Schermerhorn III, 51, of Coeymans Hollow, NY, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to the charge, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, in September 2019, Schermerhorn engaged in conversation on a teen chat website with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, who was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent. The chat turned sexual in nature, and during it, Schermerhorn proposed that the two have sex and requested naked photographs.
An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Acting Major Barry Chase, determined that Schermerhorn is a registered sex offender. In 2003, he was convicted in New York State Court of disseminating indecent material to a minor via computer for sexual contact and sentenced to 10 years’ probation.
Schermerhorn’s plea is the result of a thorough investigation, and his sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2021, at 2:00 pm before Judge Larimer.
The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of child exploitation and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to protect our children.
For more information, contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 or (716) 551-3051.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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