Webster sex offender arrested for attempting to entice a minor
WARNING: Details of child abuse included
From Trini Ross, US Attorney for the Western District,
TONAWANDA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Andrew Vallone, 47, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that an individual contacted the Town of Tonawanda Police Department after discovering a video depicting a child (Victim) wearing only a pair of underwear on a desktop computer belonging to Vallone. On January 23, 2021, the Tonawanda Police contacted the FBI and further investigation determined that Vallone had secreted a camera in a location which allowed him to surreptitiously film the Victim. The MicroSD card recovered from that hidden camera contained numerous images which depicted the Victim in various states of undress. In addition, forensic analysis of electronic devices seized from Vallone recovered numerous images and videos of child pornography.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of James P. Stauffiger.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 15, 2024, before Judge Sinatra.
BUFFALO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TRANSPORTING A MINOR ACROSS STATE LINES TO ENGAGE IN SEX TRAFFICKING
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Adrian Petty, 28, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to interstate travel for purposes of prostitution, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is handling the case, stated that in September 2020, Petty transported a Minor Victim he met on Facebook from the State of New York to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so that the Minor Victim could engage in commercial sex acts in Pennsylvania. Petty admits that he posted online commercial sex advertisements relating to the Minor Victim.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Pittsburgh Office of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Nordwall, the Monroeville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kenneth Cole, the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould, and the Erie Crime Analysis Center, under the direction of Director Dennis Richards. Additional assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Silinski.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2023, before Judge Wolford.
WEBSTER SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO HAVE SEX WITH MINORS
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Scott Fiordeliso, 33 of Webster, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with attempted enticement of a minor. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in March 2019, Fiordeliso was convicted of Attempting to Disseminate Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree and designated as a Level II Sex Offender for communicating in a sexual manner with a 13-year-old girl on Facebook. In April 2023, the Greece Police Department received a report of a minor female (Minor Victim 1) receiving suspicious Facebook messages from an unknown male named “Caleb Finagen” stating that he wanted to buy her items, take her shopping, and engage in sexual conduct with her. In May 2023, Minor Victim 1’s mother met up with and attempted to confront “Caleb Finagen,” which resulted a motor vehicle accident. Later that same day, Fiordeliso was allegedly attacked in an apartment complex and his windshield was smashed out. Greece Police determined that the earlier motor vehicle accident and later assault were related.
Subsequent investigation also identified Facebook communications between “Caleb Finagen” and another 13-year-old female, which included “Caleb Finagen” offering the minor money in exchange for performing sexual acts with him. The investigation also uncovered Fiordeliso posing as “Joshua Piedmont” on Facebook and communicating with multiple individuals who identified themselves as females between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. These individuals include a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl, who both stated that “Joshua Piedmont” offered them money in exchange for engaging in a sexual act with him. On May 5, 2023, Monroe County probation officers visited Fiordeliso’s residence and recovered a cell phone, which contained pictures that appeared to match the Facebook profile pictures for both “Caleb Finagen” and “Joshua Piedmont.”
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, and the Monroe County Office of Probation—Community Corrections.
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.
