U.S. Attorney Charges Bedford Hills Man With Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor And Attempted Enticement

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging JAMES COLLINS, JR., with enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and with sexual exploitation of a minor.  COLLINS was arrested this morning and will be presented later this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them.  As today’s arrest shows, we will use every tool available to law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those alleged to have sexually exploited children.” 

As alleged in the Complaint:[1]

On or about November 7, 2023, COLLINS attempted to persuade an individual acting in an undercover capacity and posing as a 15-year-old boy to meet the defendant in Westchester County, New York, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities. 

From at least on or about September 16, 2023, up to and including at least on or about November 7, 2023, COLLINS, who used the Snapchat username “jimc20237221,” persuaded a 17-year-old minor in Illinois to engage in sexually explicit activity and send COLLINS videos and photos of such activity.

COLLINS was previously arrested and charged in Westchester County with Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree in connection with his November 7, 2023, conduct.  He was on bail at the time of today’s arrest.

Anyone who may have encountered COLLINS or whose child may have had any communications with COLLINS is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

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COLLINS, 67, of Bedford Hills, New York, is charged with one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.  He is also charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Westchester District Attorney’s Office, the New Castle Police Department, and the Oswego Police Department in Oswego, Illinois in connection with this investigation.           

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

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