MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO USING INTERNET IN ATTEMPT
TO ENTICE MINOR TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- Prashant A. Agarwal, 31, of Auburn, New York, pled guilty  today in front of U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to  using the internet in an attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn of the Western District of New York announced .  This violation carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 30 years imprisonment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who handled the case, stated that between March 8, 2006, and April 26, 2006, Agarwal engaged in internet chats with a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy who Agarwal believed was a 14 year-old female residing in Rochester, New York.  During the chats, in addition to graphic sexual discussions, Agarwal discussed picking the girl up during school time and taking her to his house.

During the internet chats, Agarwal, using the screen name “biggy525", made arrangements to meet with the 14 year old at the Marketplace Mall in Henrietta, New York, to engage in sexual activity.  On April 26, 2006, Agarwal was arrested at the Marketplace Mall after approaching a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office female undercover officer who was portraying herself to be the 14 year old girl.  When arrested, Agarwal had in his possession strawberries, whipped cream, condoms, KY lubricant, message oil, edible underwear, and an anal probe.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit .

The conviction in this case was the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Laurie J. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge.
           
Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. EST, in Rochester, N.Y., in front of U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.