Ronald A. Howard, 59, of South Dayton, New York, pleaded guilty on July 9 to enticement of a minor before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life.
Between March 16 and April 10, 2024, Howard communicated via text messaging and Snapchat with a 14-year-old girl. During these communications, they engaged in sexual conversation and discussed meeting for sexual activity. Prosecutors said Howard knew the victim was 14 years old at the time. He asked her to send him a naked picture, which she did. Howard later met with the victim on two occasions and engaged in sexual activity with her.
On June 16, authorities executed a search warrant at Howard’s residence, where he admitted to communicating with and having sex with the victim. He also admitted to having sexual communications with a 13-year-old female from Arkansas and receiving sexually explicit images from her. Analysis of his seized cellular phone revealed further sexual communications with an 11-year-old female and her 14-year-old sister.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone and the New York State Police under Major Amie Feroleto.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 6 before Judge Sinatra.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York engages with community groups, conducts training forums to boost public safety and quality of life, has its main office at 138 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo along with a branch office at 100 State Street in Rochester, operates under the United States Department of Justice employing about 120 federal prosecutors and support staff, prosecutes federal criminal violations as well as civil litigation on behalf of the United States while collecting federal debts, and covers seventeen counties in western New York, according to the official website.