Greee Man Arrested And Charged With Enticing A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Joseph McGrain, 49, of Greece, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 27, 2020, the Greece Police Department learned that the defendant had been having a sexual relationship with a 16 year-old girl (Minor Victim) for one and a half years.

On April 1, 2020, investigators observed Facebook chat conversations between the defendant and Minor Victim on her cell phone. Among the messages, McGrain stated, “I miss our nights.” Another message stated, “Just sucks cause it's wrong but feels so good and safe with you...your right it’s wrong and it will end...thank you for that magic for the past year.” According to the complaint, the defendant and the Minor Victim had sexual relations almost daily since approximately October 2018, when she was fourteen years old, until March 26, 2020. The Minor Victim also sent McGrain numerous naked photographs of herself.

On the night of April 5, 2020, the defendant sent messages to the Minor Victim stating, “I'm a wreck, I already lost all. i told you death is my way out, If you really want it to end then tell them you set it all up and lied...I lost all and I'm just ready to die now.”

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick D. Phelan, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.