NY Man Accused Of Traveling To CT For Sex With Minor: Feds

CONNECTICUT — A New York man is accused of traveling to Connecticut to engage in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

James Pagliaro, 26, of Middletown, New York, was arrested Wednesday on multiple federal charges, including production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

Pagliaro appeared Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport before Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti.

Prosecutors claim Pagliaro started messaging the girl in October 2024 on TikTok.

In December, the girl told Pagliaro her age, and they then began messaging each other via text. In January, Pagliaro traveled to Connecticut multiple times to engage in sexual conduct with the girl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Investigators conducted a forensic examination of the teen’s iPhone in February. Prosecutors said it revealed hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victim. Investigators say they also found more than 11,000 text messages and evidence of more than 300 iOS and FaceTime calls.

“In the messages, Pagliaro instructed the minor victim to perform specific sex acts, including sadistic and masochistic conduct,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said, in a news release.

Prosecutors said Pagliaro frequently referenced the girl’s age and acknowledged he was doing something illegal.

The government claims Pagliaro referred to the teen as his “slave,” and had her send him a “slavery contract.” Prosecutors said he "berated and punished” the teen when she failed to accurately follow his instructions. He also asked the girl to recruit other minors to engage in sexual conduct with him, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

It was not immediately clear as of Thursday if Pagliaro has retained defense counsel.

Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England, HSI New York, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in New York, and the Danbury, Ridgefield and Watertown Police Departments in Connecticut.

To report cases of child exploitation, visit www.cybertipline.com.