Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Eric S. Mann, age 33, of Howard, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to attempting to arrange for a sexual encounter with a minor.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Mann admitted that between May 10, 2016 and August 25, 2016, he exchanged multiple online messages with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old boy. Mann further admitted that the messages were intended to entice the boy into meeting with him for the purpose of having sex. Mann also admitted that on the morning of August 25, 2016, he travelled to a truck stop located in Milesburg, Pennsylvania, in an effort to meet with the boy.

Mann faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2017 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. 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. Mann will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Town of Colonie Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.