SCRANTON, PA — A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 210 months behind bars. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Capozza, 42, of Newington, Connecticut, received his sentence on Wednesday from United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani.
Capozza had previously pleaded guilty to one count of online enticement of a minor and one count of production of child pornography. The charges stemmed from his activities between July 23, 2020, and December 31, 2020. During this period, Capozza used Snapchat, a popular social media platform, to manipulate a minor into engaging in unlawful sexual activity.
The court heard how Capozza persuaded the minor to engage in sexual intercourse with him and to travel with him to Connecticut and Massachusetts with the intent of continuing their illicit sexual relationship. On or about August 23, 2020, Capozza coerced the same minor victim into creating several pornographic videos and sending them to him via Snapchat.
Online enticement of a minor involves using the internet to persuade, induce, or entice a minor into sexual activity. The production of child pornography refers to the act of making or creating explicit content involving minors.
The severity of Capozza’s sentence underlines the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies and the courts view these heinous crimes. It serves as a stark reminder of the very real dangers that can lurk online, particularly for young people.
Parents and guardians are being urged to remain vigilant about their children’s online activities, as predators can use popular platforms to exploit and harm the young and vulnerable. It is important for adults to educate themselves and their children about the potential dangers of the internet, and to establish rules and boundaries for safe online behavior.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1 in 5 children who use the internet have been solicited for sex. Additionally, research shows that 71% of child sex trafficking victims are recruited through social media platforms. These shocking statistics highlight the critical need for parents to monitor their children’s online activity and have open conversations about staying safe on the internet.
In addition to being aware of who their children are communicating with online, it is important for parents to also be aware of what they are sharing. Many predators will use tactics such as blackmail or manipulation to coerce young people into sending compromising photos or videos. These images can then be used as leverage to further exploit the child.
Ultimately, Parents must educate themselves and their children about online safety. This includes setting guidelines for internet usage, teaching them to recognize warning signs of predatory behavior, and encouraging open communication about any concerning interactions.
This case was investigated by a collaboration of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Omaha, Nebraska Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Connecticut and Nebraska. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
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