Massachusetts Man Charged With Using Internet to Engage in Sexual Activity With Connecticut Girl

2 August 2006

Jason Palmeira, also known as "Jay," 26, of Somers, Conn. was arrested today based on a criminal complaint charging him with using the Internet to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity, and traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of attempting to have and having illicit sexual conduct with a minor, U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O'Connor of the District of Columbia and Special Agent in Charge Kimberly K. Mertz of the FBI announced today.

As alleged in the complaint, on June 19, 2006, a 15-year-old girl living in Simsbury, Conn., posted a message on the Internet Web site myspace.com. The girl identified herself in her myspace.com profile as being 15-years-old, and her message indicated that she was interested in meeting boys in Connecticut who were under the age of 18. On June 21, Palmeira sent an email to the girl in response to her message and indicated that he was 26-years-old. Palmeira and the girl began communicating often, using both the Internet and telephone, and their discussions soon turned sexual in nature and, among other things, involved arranging a meeting.

On the evening of July 13, 2006, Palmeira is alleged to have traveled from Massachusetts to Connecticut where he met the girl at a prearranged location. Palmeira then drove the girl to Massachusetts to a location that he identified as his girlfriend's house, which was in the process of being sold, and Palmeira and his victim are alleged to have engaged in sexual activity. Palmeira drove the girl back to Connecticut the following morning. Subsequently, the victim's mother contacted the Simsbury Police.

"We in federal law enforcement are committed to investigating and prosecuting those who use the Internet's social networking web sites to exploit children," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "I want to credit the investigative efforts of the Simsbury Police working in cooperation

with the victim's involved and concerned parents who brought this matter to the FBI and the Computer Crimes Task Force."

Palmeira was arrested this morning at his Somers residence by the FBI, Simsbury Police and Connecticut State Police. He was presented before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford and was released after posting a bond in the amount of $100,000. The judge ordered Palmeira to reside with his parents at their home in Springfield, Mass. and restricted his access to the Internet.

If convicted, Palmeira faces a minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 30 years in prison, a period of supervised release for as long as life, and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count.

"The FBI encourages parents to continually monitor the online activity of their children and be vigilant for sexual predators who may be attempting to target their children through social networking web sites such as myspace.com," Special Agent in Charge Mertz stated. "Any suspicious activity involving a possible sexual predator should immediately be reported to the FBI or your local police department."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor and Special Agent in Charge Mertz offered several warning signs that a child may be communicating online with a sexual predator. These signs include a child who spends large amounts of time online, particularly between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. when their parents may still be at work; pornography is found on a child's computer, as predators will often send their victims pornography to engage them in sexual discussions; a child receives or makes phone calls to unfamiliar numbers; a child receives mail, gifts or packages from unknown sources; a child makes efforts to cover up what he or she is doing on the computer; including turning off the monitor or changing the screen when others walk into the room; a child begins to use an online account belonging to someone else; a child becomes withdrawn from the family.

"It is imperative that we communicate openly with our children about the risks of Internet use and monitor their online activities," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "Computers with Internet access should be placed in a common room in the house, and parental controls and monitoring software are available and can be easily installed. Also, carefully review the information contained in a child's screen name or Internet profile, as predators will often use that information to target and pursue their victims."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Simsbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, United States Secret Service, Connecticut Chief State's Attorney's Office, and Glastonbury, Bridgeport, Milford, Middletown, Avon and South Windsor Police Departments.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force was formed in February 2003 to investigate crimes occurring over the Internet. These crimes include computer intrusion, Internet fraud, copyright violations, Internet threats and harassment and on-line crimes against children. The Task Force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The Task Force is housed in the main FBI office in New Haven, Conn. For more information about the Task Force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

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Source: usnewswire

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