Binghamton Man Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking And Prostitution Of A Child

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Alphonso Dennis, age 34, of Binghamton, New York, pleaded guilty on Friday to 4 counts of sex trafficking of a child and 2 counts of prostitution of a child.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 27, 2016 before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. Dennis faces a minimum term of 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a minimum period of supervised release – to be served following his release from prison – of 5 years and up to life. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Upon release, Dennis will also have to register as a sex offender.

From about August 2014 to November 2014, in Broome County, Dennis hosted two minors at his apartment, who met with men in that apartment for the purpose of engaging in sex acts for money. Dennis also transported and caused the minors to be transported to various locations in order to meet with men, all for the purpose of having the minors engage in commercial sex acts. Throughout this time period, the minors were 15 years old and 14 years old, respectively, and Dennis knew that they were minors.

Using a cell phone and while in his apartment, Dennis took photos and caused photos to be taken of the minors in sexually provocative poses when they were barely dressed, and then used those photographs in advertisements placed on an Internet advertising site.

As men called the phone number listed in the advertisements, Dennis arranged for the men to meet with the minors. Dennis told the minors how much money to charge the men and required that the minors surrender to him 50% of the money that they received from the men.

The prosecution stems from an investigation into a child prostitution ring conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, and the Vestal Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.

This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.