For Coercing a Minor to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity
HAMMOND - Acting United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced that Willard Abatie, 64, of Chesterton, Indiana was sentenced before District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen for one count of coercion and enticement of a minor.
Abatie was sentenced to 292 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on approximately ten occasions between March and December 2014, Abatie coerced a 12-year-old girl to perform sex acts with him. Abatie gained access to the girl by agreeing to help the girl’s mother facilitate a money laundering scheme. Abatie made money transfers for the mother in exchange for sexual contact with the minor.
This case was investigated by the United States Department Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Hammond and East Chicago Police Departments. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
