Safford Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

     TUCSON, Ariz. – On October 15, 2019, District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps sentenced Lawrence Halamek, 36, to 35 years’ imprisonment followed by lifetime supervised release. Halamek is also required to register as a sex offender.

     A federal jury previously found Halamek guilty of one count of Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and one count of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.  The evidence at trial showed that in December 2016, Halamek picked up a minor child from a bus stop and transported the child to a remote area in New Mexico with intent to commit sexual assault.  An Amber Alert led to them being located the next day.

     In sentencing Halamek, Judge Zipps noted his lack of remorse and insight, and stated that Halamek had taken “advantage of multiple vulnerable victims.”

     This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sierra Vista Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and Graham County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution was handled by Carin C. Duryee and Erica L. Seger, District of Arizona, Tucson.