Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on Mar. 18 the arrest of Gregory Graff in connection with alleged online communications with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and an attempt to meet her for sexual activity. Graff was taken into federal custody, presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause in White Plains federal court, and detained.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation through online platforms and law enforcement's efforts to address these crimes. Authorities say that protecting children from such offenses remains a priority.
According to the complaint, on January 21 and January 22, 2026, a New York State Police investigator posed as a 13-year-old girl named "Sammi" on a social media application and communicated with Graff. During these conversations, Graff allegedly asked for sexually explicit photos and indicated his intention to meet for sex. The investigator repeatedly stated she was only 13 years old and in eighth grade during their exchanges.
Graff is accused of describing various sexual activities he wanted to engage in with "Sammi" and requesting that she call him "daddy." He also sent several sexually explicit photos as well as images showing his face. On January 21, Graff made plans to meet "Sammi" in Orange County, New York; when he arrived at the agreed location on January 22, he was arrested by New York State Police.
Following his arrest, Graff was charged in the Town of Wallkill with attempted rape in the second degree, attempted act in the manner to injure a child less than 17 years old, and disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree. He now faces one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor at the federal level—a charge carrying a minimum sentence of ten years in prison and up to life imprisonment if convicted.
“Gregory Graff is every parent’s nightmare,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “He allegedly used the internet to convince an individual, whom he believed to be a minor, to meet him for sexual activity. This prosecution shows that we will use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish to the fullest extent of the law those who exploit New York’s most vulnerable citizens: our children. There may be other victims. If you have information to report, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.”
Clayton praised the work of multiple agencies involved in this investigation including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force; New York State Police Troop F – Computer Crimes Unit; New York State Police Troop K; Orange County District Attorney’s Office; and Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marcia S. Cohen and John Wynne from the White Plains Division.
