Henrietta Swim Coach Arrested For Traveling To Meet A 16 Year Old Girl For Sex

ROCHESTER, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Matthew D. Lincoln, 37, of Henrietta, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, a maximum of life, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, who was the head coach for the Golden Comets Swim Club, first came to law enforcement attention after he engaged in online communications with an 11 year old girl in Brighton. The child’s father reported this activity to the Brighton Police who then arranged an undercover operation.

During this operation, the defendant engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with a child he believed to be a 16 year girl. Over the course of several weeks, Lincoln repeatedly chatted with the child and requested that they meet in person so that they could engage in sexual activity. Lincoln also sent several photographs of himself to the child, including a full length nude photo. Eventually, the child agreed to meet Lincoln in person at a location in Brighton. Prior to meeting with the child, Lincoln went to a local WalMart and purchased a stuffed teddy bear, a heart shaped box of chocolates, and a card for the child, which he left in his nearby apartment.

Unbeknownst to Lincoln, the child was actually an undercover Brighton Police Investigator. When Lincoln arrived at the meeting to meet with the child, he was arrested. During a post arrest interview, Lincoln admitted to believing that he was communicating with a real 16 year old girl. He also admitted to transmitting sexually explicit messages to her and meeting with her with the intent to engage in sexual activity.

The defendant made an initial appearance on February 15, 2018, before United States Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson. Lincoln is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for February 22, 2018.

“Yesterday’s arrest reminds each of us that we must remain vigilant in protecting the youths of our society”, said U.S. Attorney Kennedy.  “Together with our federal, state and local partners, we will do all that we can to ensure that those who pray upon our children are brought to justice”.

“I want to recognize the excellent work of the Brighton Police Department,” said FBI Buffalo Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Lyons.  “They acted quickly on a parent’s complaint and took the necessary initiative to ensure that Matthew Lincoln was investigated and removed from the environment where our children live and play each day.  Our Child Exploitation Task Force is tangible proof of the FBI’s mission to protect the young people in Monroe County and beyond -- a great collaborative effort that demonstrates our commitment to the community and our partners.”

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Brighton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Mark Henderson, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Todd K. Baxter, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Richard Allen and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Lyons.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.