Massachusetts Man Indicted on Child Exploitation Charges

ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Rancourt, age 56, of Palmer, Massachusetts, was indicted today for attempting to coerce and entice a minor into sexual activity, after he posted an online advertisement soliciting sexual encounters and travelled to Colonie, New York, to meet what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy in order to engage in sexual activities.  Rancourt is also charged with having distributed, received, and possessed child pornography. 

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

On April 9, 2016, Rancourt was charged by complaint with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  He was detained on that charge and has remained in custody ever ince.   

If convicted, he faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison on the attempted coercion and enticement charge, and at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison on the charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography.  He also faces a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. 

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colonie Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Solomon B. Shinerock. 

This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc/