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Press Release

New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty In Federal Court To Transporting Rhode Island Minor To Engage In Criminal Sexual Activity

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Rhode Island





PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Daniel Berger, 28, of Haskell, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence, R.I., today to travelling in interstate for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 13-year old female, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field office of the FBI; Portsmouth, R.I., Police Chief Thomas F. Lee; and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi, Berger admitted to the court that on July 24, 2013, he traveled from New Jersey to Rhode Island to meet with a 13-year-old girl he befriended on the Internet. Berger admitted to the court that he transported the girl to his residence in Haskell, New Jersey, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to one count of travelling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another.

According to information presented to the court, local, state and federal law enforcement from Rhode Island and New Jersey worked collaboratively to locate the victim. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 25, 2013, the victim was located by FBI agents at the defendant’s apartment in Newark, New Jersey.

According to information presented to the court, a roommate of Berger’s pointed out a vehicle being operated by Berger to an FBI Task Force agent. Agents subsequently stopped the vehicle and detained Berger. He was transported to Rhode Island on July 29 by the United States Marshals Service and was ordered detained following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on July 30.

The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah. Berger, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi on October 9, 2014.

Portsmouth, R.I., Police, Rhode Island State Police and FBI agents from Providence and Newark, N.J., were assisted in the investigation and subsequent arrest of Berger by the New Jersey State Police and officers from the Ringwood, Wanaque, Paterson and Clifton, New Jersey, Police Departments.

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Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov

Updated June 22, 2015