United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force: NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN ARRESTED FOR USING INTERNET TO ENTICE MINOR TO ENGAGE IN SEX

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Wolf, Special Agent in Charge of the Connecticut Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today that BRADLEY SWEENEY, age 45, of 35 Abbott Street, Apartment #5, Nashua, New Hampshire, has been arrested and charged by Criminal Complaint with using the internet to attempt to persuade and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, and with interstate travel for the purpose of attempting to engage in sexual acts with a minor.

According to the Complaint filed by the Government in court today, on the afternoon of January 12, 2004, SWEENEY, using the America Online screen name "Bradsweeneys," engaged in internet chat discussions with someone he believed was a 13-year old girl. The individual with whom SWEENEY began to communicate was, in reality, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Computer Crimes Task Force. SWEENEY sent an Instant Message to the special agent, identified himself as "Brad" and said he was 45-years-old. When the special agent responded that his persona's age was 13, SWEENEY stated "I like younger." During the course of this initial contact, SWEENEY described various sexual acts that he wanted to perform with the girl and offered to meet her in Connecticut and drive her back to stay with him in New Hampshire.

The Complaint further charges that on 11 separate days from January 15, 2004 to February 6, 2004, SWEENEY continued to engage in internet discussions with the individual he thought was a 13-year-old girl. During these discussions, SWEENEY continued to discuss in lengthy and explicit terms the nature of sexual activities he wished to engage in with the girl persona, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. SWEENEY indicated during these discussions that he wanted the girl persona to become his sex slave. SWEENEY also promised the girl persona that she would have a place to stay for the rest of her life and that he would marry her. SWEENEY made plans to meet and pick up his intended victim at 9:00 a.m. on the morning of February 9, 2004, in front of a coffee shop in downtown New Haven.

According to the Complaint, today at approximately 6:15 a.m., SWEENEY was observed leaving his residence in New Hampshire. At approximately 9:36 a.m., SWEENEY was arrested without incident by members of the Computer Crimes Task Force and the New Haven Police outside of the designated coffee shop meeting place in New Haven.

"The federal government remains steadfast in its commitment to investigate and prosecute those who use the internet to prey upon children," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

Special Agent In Charge Wolf added "The efforts of the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force in investigating cyber-crime, including those involving the attempted exploitation of children, are essential to the overall law enforcement mission in the state."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that a Complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to have the case presented to a grand jury and, if he is indicted, he is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, SWEENEY faces a possible term of imprisonment of up to 30 years for each offense, and a mandatory minimum five years for the first charged offense. If convicted, SWEENEY may also be required to serve a period of supervised release of up to five years and pay a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of conviction. U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis ordered SWEENEY to be detained without bond.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes agents from the FBI, the United States Postal Service, the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Chief State's Attorney's Office, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, United States Secret Service, and detectives from the Glastonbury, Madison, New Britain, and Milford Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Meyer is prosecuting the case.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force was formed in February 2003 to investigate crimes occurring over the internet. These crimes include computer intrusion, internet fraud, copyright violations, internet threats and harassment and on-line crimes against children. The Task Force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The Task Force is housed in the main FBI office in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information about the Task Force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311 or via e-mail at ifcc.nh@fbi.gov.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov