Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is
handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously
complaint, in early January, 2017, the defendant met the 14 year-old victim at
her family’s church in Cattaraugus County, NY, and the two began communicating
via Facebook and Snapchat. During those communications, Warner, who knew the
victim was 14 years-old, began making sexual references and statements, and
sent sexually explicit images of himself to the victim. The defendant also
asked for and received nude photographs of the victim.
On March 27, 2017, the defendant pleaded guilty to Rape in
the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in Cattaraugus County
Court and is scheduled to be sentenced on those charges on July 12, 2017.
The defendant was arraigned this afternoon before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under
the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James C. Spero; the New York State
Police, under the direction of Major Steven Nigrelli; and the Cattaraugus
County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Lori Rieman.
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.
