Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the filing of federal charges against Stephen P. Brown. The complaint charges that Brown communicated with an individual he believed to be an 11-year-old boy via e-mails and instant messages and made plans to meet the boy at a hotel in Peekskill to engage in sexual activity and take sexually explicit photographs. In March 2014, Brown was arrested in Peekskill, New York, by New York State law enforcement authorities when he arrived at the designated meeting-place to meet the boy. The federal charges filed today follow state charges against Brown in Manhattan, Westchester County, Sullivan County, and Albany County. Brown, who is currently in jail in Albany County, is scheduled to be presented in federal court on Wednesday, June 18.

According to the allegations of the complaint:

Between January 14, 2014 and March 4, 2014, Stephen P. Brown, using e-mail addresses “spbrown21@ic.cloud” and “spbrown21@yahoo.com,” engaged in sexually explicit online communications with a New York State Police Investigator who was acting in an undercover capacity and posing as an 11-year old boy. During these communications, Brown discussed various sexual acts he wished to perform on the boy, requested that the boy provide Brown with sexually explicit photographs of the boy, and made a plan to meet the boy at a hotel in Peekskill, New York, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. On March 4, 2014, Brown was arrested at the Peekskill hotel after as he went to meet with whom he thought was the 11-year old boy.

Brown, 62, of Manhattan is charged with one count of attempted sexual exploitation and one count of attempted enticement. With respect to the attempted sexual exploitation, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment. With respect to the attempted enticement, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, the City of New York Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Rockland County Computer Crimes Task Force in connection with this investigation.

Mr. Bharara stated that the investigation is ongoing. Mr. Bharara requests that any individuals who believe they may have information concerning Stephen P. Brown that may be relevant to the investigation contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Goshen, New York, at 1-845-615-1700.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.