SYRACUSE, NY – Ashley K. Whitaker, 49, is headed back to prison. Not for the original crime that landed him there a decade ago, but for a calculated attempt to deceive the system designed to monitor him. Whitaker was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for knowingly and willfully making false statements on his monthly reports to the United States Probation Office. The sentence, handed down in the Northern District of New York, adds to an already lengthy record.
Whitaker’s troubles began in 2008, when he was prosecuted in Oswego County for receiving sexually explicit images of a minor. That conviction earned him a 10-year sentence, and upon his release, the designation of a Level 2 sex offender under New York State law. This meant mandatory registration with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, including full disclosure of all internet identifiers and accounts. It’s a simple requirement, one Whitaker deliberately chose to ignore.
According to court documents, Whitaker created and used a hidden email account, failing to report it to either the sex offender registry or U.S. Probation. He then repeatedly lied in his monthly reports, falsely claiming full compliance with his registration obligations. This wasn’t a lapse in judgment; it was a conscious effort to operate in the shadows, potentially putting vulnerable individuals at risk. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone, III didn’t mince words: “Sex offender registration…is an important part of a sex offender’s sentence. These guardrails are put in place to protect the public…When sex offenders fail to comply, we will hold them accountable.”
The deception earned Whitaker an additional 24 months in prison, to run consecutively with the 30-month sentence for the false statements. He’ll also face 10 years of supervised release after serving his time. And despite the added punishment, Whitaker remains a registered sex offender, subject to ongoing scrutiny and restrictions. Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia emphasized the dedication of law enforcement to these cases: “The protection of our communities…remains one of our highest priorities.” The U.S. Marshals Sex Offender Investigative Division, in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, relentlessly pursues those who attempt to evade accountability.
The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Marshal Service and the United States Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, spearheading the prosecution as Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, brought the case to a close. Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, aims to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse by marshaling resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute offenders.
Whitaker’s case serves as a stark reminder that simply serving time isn’t enough. Continued monitoring and honest compliance are crucial for sex offenders re-entering society. Failure to adhere to these conditions will be met with swift and decisive action, as demonstrated by this sentencing. Those seeking more information on Project Safe Childhood can visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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