Bath man charged in federal court with enticing a minor online

ROCHESTER, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that William C. Read, 33, of Bath, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with online enticement of a minor, and distribution and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Read utilized a social media application in an attempt to meet a nine-year-old child for sex. The defendant was intercepted by members of the New York State Police and Department of Homeland Security on October 1, 2018, while on his way to meet the child. At the time of his arrest, Read was found to be in possession of condoms and candy, which he intended to give to the child. The complaint also alleges that the defendant distributed and possessed images of child pornography from a cell phone in his possession. The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Marian W. Payson, and is being held pending a detention hearing October 3, 2018.  The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eric Laughton, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.