Philip Schuler was arraigned in federal court in Central Islip on April 10 on a seven-count indictment that includes charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, as well as child pornography offenses. Schuler, who worked as an adjunct professor at Suffolk County Community College during the alleged incidents, was arrested in January. United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks ordered that Schuler be detained pending trial.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address child exploitation and protect minors from online predators. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts, according to the official website.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., and FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced the charges against Schuler. "As alleged, the defendant spent months communicating with an FBI undercover agent who purported to be a 13-year-old female child, during which the defendant repeatedly expressed his interest and willingness to have a sexual relationship with her," said Nocella. "Our Office will vigorously prosecute sexual predators who target children to ensure they are held accountable and protect vulnerable members of the community from these depraved individuals." Barnacle said: "Philip Schuler allegedly sent explicit photos and messages to a supposed teenage girl before planning to sexually abuse her in person. This alleged attempt revealed the defendant’s disturbing desire to repeatedly groom and exploit a vulnerable child. The FBI continues to protect minors from online sexual predators looking to fulfill their twisted wants."
According to court filings, an undercover FBI agent began communicating with Schuler on Discord after receiving information from Decoy Project Inc., a non-profit organization focused on identifying online predators. Over several months starting in October 2025, Schuler allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl named “Chloe,” including video calls and sharing explicit images. On January 7, 2026, he arranged a meeting at Edward W. Cahill Memorial Park but was arrested by agents upon arrival; law enforcement found items such as spermicide and gifts intended for "Chloe" at his motel room along with electronic devices containing about 400 images or videos depicting child sexual abuse material.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006—to combat growing incidents of child exploitation online by bringing together federal, state, and local resources for investigation and prosecution purposes (more information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc). The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York handles federal crime prosecutions and civil matters representation for the district per its official website.
If convicted on all counts listed in this indictment—allegations only at this stage—Schuler faces between ten years’ imprisonment up through life behind bars.
The U.S. Attorney's Office operates out of Brooklyn and Central Islip locations; it covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County,and Suffolk County according to its official website.The office is led by Breon Peace as United States Attorney.The government’s case is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney James P.Scahill.
