John Secor, Jr., age 46, of Rome, New York, pleaded guilty on March 25 in federal court to charges of enticing and coercing a minor as well as receiving child pornography.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about online safety for minors and the responsibilities of social media companies in preventing exploitation. Authorities say that protecting children from online predators remains a top priority.
According to prosecutors, Secor began communicating with a 16-year-old girl from Oneida County through Facebook in May 2025. The girl had informed Secor of her age before their conversations became sexual. Secor requested explicit images and videos from the minor and arranged an in-person meeting with plans to engage in sexual acts.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “This defendant’s actions were calculated, predatory, and profoundly disturbing. He targeted a minor through Facebook, manipulated her, and sought to exploit her for sexual purposes. Let me be clear: anyone who engages in this kind of conduct will be aggressively investigated, prosecuted, and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Social media companies must also recognize their responsibility in preventing such exploitation on their platforms and take stronger, proactive measures to protect vulnerable users. I thank HSI and the New York State Police for their commitment to keeping our communities safe.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo said, “Secor has admitted to deeply disturbing and exploitative behavior toward a child, and after today’s plea, he faces decades in federal prison. Homeland Security Investigations works every day to bring predators like Secor to justice. We hope that today’s guilty plea is a positive step forward for the victim and her family as they begin to heal and move forward.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said that this case demonstrates "the very real and ongoing threat that online predators pose" while reaffirming law enforcement's commitment "to working alongside our federal partners" against such crimes.
Secor faces mandatory minimum sentences totaling at least fifteen years if convicted on both counts—ten years for enticement/coercion of a minor (maximum life) plus five years for receipt of child pornography (maximum twenty years). Both charges carry fines up to $250,000 each along with supervised release terms ranging from five years up to life.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 21 before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) together with New York State Police (NYSP), prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian LaRochelle under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative led by U.S Attorneys' Offices aiming at combating child sexual exploitation.
