Batavia Man Pleads Guilty To Enticement

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Guillermo Torres-Acevedo, 23, of Batavia, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to enticing a minor to travel to engage in criminal sexual activity. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that on November 25, 2018, the defendant, then a 22 year old man, had sexual relations with Victim 1, a 14 year old girl. Torres-Acevedo was arrested the following day for, among other charges, rape in violation of New York Penal Law.

Following his arrest, the defendant persuaded Victim 1 to travel with him out of state to continue their relationship. On November 29, 2018, Torres-Acevedo picked up Victim 1 from school in Genesee County, NY, and drove her to Pennsylvania, where they had sexual intercourse. Under Pennsylvania law, that constituted the crime of statutory sexual assault.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr.; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eric Laughton; the Pennsylvania State Police, under the direction of Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Robert Evanchick; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2020, before Judge Geraci.