BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Loren Glen Warner, 27, of Fresno, CA, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement of a minor. The charge carries a minimum of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in early January, 2017, the defendant met the 14 year-old victim at her family’s church in Cattaraugus County, NY, and the two began communicating via Facebook and Snapchat. During those communications, Warner, who knew the victim was 14 years-old, began making sexual references and statements, and sent sexually explicit images of himself to the victim. The defendant also asked for and received nude photographs of the victim. In the early morning hours of Jan. 23, 2017, Warner drove to the victim’s residence. The victim got into the car and the two had sexual intercourse.
The investigation was initiated by the New York State Police who received a report from the legal guardian of the victim. The legal guardian reported that she woke up early on Jan. 23, 2017, and saw the victim walking towards the house and the defendant in his car at the end of the driveway. She also reported that later in the day, the victim told her that Warner had sexual intercourse with her.
On March 27, 2017, the defendant pleaded guilty to Rape in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in Cattaraugus County Court and is scheduled to be sentenced on those charges on June 12, 2107.
The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., and is being held.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Steven Nigrelli; and the Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Lori Rieman.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
