A federal grand jury indicted Claude Lennon, a 24-year-old Brooklyn resident, on June 24 for coercion and enticement of a minor as well as traveling to Delaware to rape a 14-year-old victim.
According to court documents, Lennon communicated with the minor through an online messaging platform and engaged in sexually explicit conversations. Despite knowing the victim’s age, Lennon arranged to meet in Wilmington, Delaware. He traveled by train from New York City to Wilmington and took an Uber to meet the victim at an agreed-upon location. Prosecutors allege that Lennon then engaged in sexual conduct with the victim that constitutes fourth-degree rape under Delaware law. Court documents also state that Lennon brought condoms and provided the victim with approximately $80 and marijuana edibles.
Lennon faces one count of coercion and enticement of a minor under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2422(b)) and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct (18 U.S.C. § 2423(b)). If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and up to life imprisonment. Sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum allowed; sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace announced the indictment. The FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency, Wilmington Police Department, and New York City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia L. Pare and Bryan C. Williamson are prosecuting.
Related court documents can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware or through PACER by searching Case No. 1:26-cr-104.
The charges contained in the indictment are accusations; Lennon is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.