A Cayuga County man admitted today that tried to lure what he thought were children into sex through Craigslist.
Robert J. Stachura, 45, pleaded guilty in federal court to using the Internet to try to coerce a child into sexual activity. He was arrested last year after he tried to meet a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old in a public park for sex.
Stachura faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher said. U.S. District Judge David Hurd scheduled sentencing for June 4.
Police discovered Stachura through advertisements he placed on Craigslist in which he stated that he was seeking sexual contact with minors. He posted lewd images with the advertisements.
In May, a Cayuga County sheriff’s detective engaged Stachura in online conversation, posing as a 15-year-old boy, according to court records. Stachura requested to meet him, and asked him to bring a 13-year-old friend to meet in person for a sexual encounter, court papers said.
Stachura was arrested when he arrived at the meeting spot, in a public park in Auburn.
An investigation and interview with Stachura revealed that there was child pornography on his computer, court papers said.
