Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Curtis Ellington, a registered sex offender from Junction City, Kansas, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern in the Southern District of New York.
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Ellington was previously convicted on January 12, 2007, in Orange County Court for first-degree rape involving a person less than 11 years old. He served seven years in prison and was required to register as a sex offender.
On April 7, 2023, Ellington traveled from Kansas to Orange County, New York. He stayed at the home of a 15-year-old minor and engaged in sexual activity with the victim after communicating through Instagram about his intentions.
United States Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “Children deserve protection from those who would exploit them. There is zero tolerance for this heinous conduct. Our Office will pursue every lead, use every tool, and bring every resource to bear to ensure that predators like Curtis Ellington are removed from our communities. If you suspect sexual exploitation, please reach out to our law enforcement partners.”
Ellington was also sentenced to 15 years of supervised release following his prison term.
Jay Clayton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Middletown Police Department, Geary County Sheriff’s Office in Junction City (Kansas), New York State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas for their work on this case.
The prosecution was managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen from the White Plains Division.
Individuals with information about child sexual exploitation are encouraged to contact law enforcement at 1-800-Call-FBI.
