Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Enticing Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

March 31, 2010 - Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; John F. Pikus, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division; Joseph Zikuski, Chief of Police, Binghamton Police Department; John P. Melville, Acting Superintendent New York State Police; David E. Harder, Broome County Sheriff; and James Dadamio, Director of Broome County Security Division, make the following announcement:

As a result of an investigation by the Southern Tier Cyber Predator Task Force (STCPTF)* and the Pennsylvania State Police, defendant Gerald Koch aka Jerry, 49, of Brackney, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today in Federal Court in Binghamton, New York. Defendant Koch pleaded guilty to persuading, inducing and enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. At sentencing, defendant Koch faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 10 years in federal prison and a possible maximum imprisonment term of life. Defendant also faces a possible maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28, 2010. Koch is incarcerated and will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service until sentencing.

In pleading guilty, Koch admitted the following facts. He admitted that between September of 2008 and June of 2009, in the Northern District of New York and elsewhere, while using a facility and means of interstate and foreign commerce, which included text messaging, picture messaging, and wire communications by use of cellular telephones, Koch knowingly did persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. The communications between Koch and the victim occurred via telephones and also by way of computer on MySpace and America Online Instant Messaging. Koch admitted that at the time he was the varsity soccer coach at Blue Ridge High School in Pennsylvania. The victim was 15 years old when the communications between the victim and Koch commenced. Koch purchased and provided to the victim cellular telephones for the express purpose of communicating with the victim by way of texting and telephonic conversations.

Between September of 2008 and June of 2009, Koch routinely texted and conversed with the victim by way of the cellular telephones. Koch communicated with the victim via cellular telephones regarding his intention to engage in sexual activity with the victim. Additionally, Koch utilized cellular telephones to send to the victim sexually explicit images and videos of himself. On several occasions between September of 2008 and June of 2009, Koch engaged in sexual activity with the victim. In February of 2009, Koch became aware that law enforcement was investigating Koch’s communications and contact with the victim. Thereafter, Koch encouraged witnesses to lie to law enforcement about their knowledge of Koch’s communications with the victim. Koch also encouraged a witness to lie if called to testify at any proceedings.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Miroslav Lovric. Further inquiries may be directed to the United States Attorney’s Office, Binghamton branch office at (607) 773-2887.

* The Southern Tier Cyber Predator Task Force (STCPTF) consists of the following agencies: New York State Police; Binghamton Police Department; Broome County District Attorney’s Office; Broome County Security Division; Broome County Sheriff’s Office; Endicott Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Johnson City Police Department; Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office; Tioga County Sheriff’s Office; Delaware County Sheriff’s Office; Ithaca Police Department; Cortland Police Department; SUNY Binghamton University Police; Vestal Police Department; and Cornell University Police.