CLARKSBURG, WV—Patrick W. Ganim, 30, of, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor female, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Ganim communicated with a minor female residing in the Northern District of West Virginia utilizing a variety of Internet resources and online messaging tools. In October 2014, Ganim traveled across state lines from Ohio into West Virginia. He then engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the victim. Following their initial meeting, Ganim continued to utilize online messaging services to communicate with the minor victim, planning a subsequent meeting and sending explicit material to the victim. He pled guilty in June 2015 to one count of “Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Preston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bainbridge Township, Ohio Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.