U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday (Dec. 4) that Guillermo Torres-Acevedo, 23, of Batavia, pled 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 Nov. 25, 2018, the defendant, then a 22-year-old man, had sexual relations with 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 the victim to travel with him out of state to continue their relationship. On Nov. 29, 2018, Torres-Acevedo picked up the girl from school in Genesee County 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 Feb. 13 before Judge Geraci.
Editor's Note: Torres-Acevedo also faces charges in Genesee County Court and a plea deal is expected in the case, which is on the court calendar for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow (Dec. 6). Torres-Acevedo is charged locally with: four counts of second-degree rape, a Class D violent felony; four counts of criminal sexual act in the second degree, also a Class D violent felony; second-degree kidnapping, a Class B violent felony; and second-degree criminal contempt.
