Geneva Man Charged With Enticement Of A Minor

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Timothy Carter, 45, of Geneva, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement of a minor. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 12, 2020, an undercover law enforcement officer with the Geneva Police Department was on social media utilizing an undercover online account when he received a picture of a naked male from a user named “Timothy Carter.” For approximately an hour after receiving the picture, the undercover officer and the defendant exchanged messages that were sexually explicit at times. During the exchange, the undercover officer stated that he was a 14 year-old boy. Carter then asked the undercover officer to meet in person. A short time later, the defendant arrived at a predetermined location and was taken into custody.

On May 19, 2020, the Geneva Police Department executed a search warrant on Carter’s cellular phone and determined it was used to send the messages to the undercover officer.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Geneva Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael J. Passalacqua; the Canandaigua Police Department, under the direction of Chief  Mathew Neilsen, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

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.