Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A Bronx man, Anthony Wallace, has been convicted by a federal jury of multiple charges including kidnapping a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation of a minor across state lines for illegal sexual activity, and possession and production of child pornography. The verdict was delivered after a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “Anthony Wallace used lies, threats, and violence to sexually abuse a 15-year-old minor victim over the course of a month, ultimately bringing the victim to the Bronx where he forced her to stay with him in a barricaded apartment. The victim eventually was able to escape and alert law enforcement, and I commend her for her bravery. Our Office remains unwavering in our commitment to protecting children and ensuring that those who harm them face the full weight of the justice system.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that in March 2024, Wallace met the 15-year-old girl in Binghamton, New York. Over four weeks, he subjected her to escalating abuse—physically assaulting her, forcing her to change her appearance with hair dye and masks, supplying drugs such as methamphetamine and marijuana, and creating child pornography stored on his cellphone.
On April 1, 2024, Wallace transported the girl from Binghamton across state lines to an apartment in the Bronx. There he continued his assaults until April 4 when she escaped through a window while Wallace slept. She contacted emergency services immediately after escaping.
Wallace faces mandatory minimum sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years depending on each count—with maximum penalties reaching life imprisonment for several charges. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2026; however, final sentencing decisions will be made by Judge Vyskocil based on statutory guidelines.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended both federal and local agencies involved: “Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the New York City Police Department. He also thanked the Broome County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ariana L. Bloom, Remy Grosbard, Joseph H. Rosenberg, Alexandra N. Rothman from the General Crimes Unit with support from Paralegal Specialists Samantha Roberts and Benjamin Coolman.
