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Date: 05-04-2020
Case Style:
United States of America v. Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel
Case Number: 1:20-cr-00026-MSM-LDA
Judge: Mary S. McElroy
Court: United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island (Providence County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
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Providence, RI - The United States of America charged Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel with cyberstalking and possession of child porn.
A New Jersey man admitted to befriending four minor females on social media, three of them in Rhode Island, and persuading them to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves to him.
Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel, 23, of Closter, NJ, also admitted that he stalked some of the girls via social media and text messages, and threatened to share the photographs on social media with their classmates and others if they didn’t continue to communicate with him.
According to court documents, Patel befriended the girls on various social media platforms and persuaded them to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves to him. Patel admitted to the court that he sent sexually explicit photographs of himself to the girls and, in at least one instance, communicated in much the same way via a live video chat.
In pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to charges of cyberstalking and receipt of child pornography, Patel admitted to the court that he threatened and harassed the girls on social media, by text messaging, and /or by calling them, repeatedly demanding that, after breaking off communications with him, that they resume communicating with him and unblock his access to their social media accounts. Patel admitted that he threatened to post the sexually explicit photos of them online and that he would share them with their friends, classmates, and family members. He also threatened to create Instagram accounts in the girls’ names and use those accounts to post the pictures online.
On at least one occasion he followed through on his threats by posting a sexually explicit picture of one of the girls, a 13-year-old girl from Indiana, on an Instagram account he created using her name.
The investigation into Patel’s criminal activity began when the family of one of the girls brought the matter to the attention of the Hopkinton, R.I., Police Department.
Patel is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on July 30, 2020. A plea agreement filed in this matter jointly recommends that the Court impose a term of incarceration of 84 months in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and commends the Hopkinton Police Department for their investigative efforts that ultimately led to the identity and arrest of Patel.
The matter was investigated by the Hopkinton Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, New Jersey State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations.
18:2252(a)(2) and (b)(1) - RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
(1)
18:2261A(2) - CYBERSTALKING
(2)
Outcome: 04/30/2020 19 (UNSIGNED) WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel (Potter, Carrie) (Main Document 19 replaced on 4/30/2020) (Potter, Carrie). (Entered: 04/30/2020)
04/30/2020 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Mary S. McElroy:Arraignment and Change of Plea Hearing as to Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel. Plea entered by Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel (1) Guilty Count 1,2. Video Hearing: L. Vilker, K. Barrett, K. Conway. Defendant present via video conference from Wyatt Detention Center. Defendant sworn. Court questions the defendant, Defendant orally waives in person hearing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Defense confirms waiver. Court accepts oral waiver of in person hearing. Court advises Defendant of his rights and pending charge. Defendant understands rights and the charges. Defendant orally waives indictment and Court accepts waiver. Court verifies that the deft has reviewed the charges filed against him with his attorney. Court questions deft and reviews the plea agreement, including maximum penalties, sentencing guidelines, and constitutional rights. Govt outlines the legal elements and facts of this case. Deft agrees with govts outline. Deft pleads guilty. Court accepts plea and adjudges the deft guilty. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Probation to prepare PSR. Deft remanded (Court Reporter D. Veitch in Courtroom Video Hearing at 10:30 a.m..)(Potter, Carrie) (Entered: 04/30/2020)
04/30/2020 NOTICE OF HEARING DEFENDANT REQUEST as to Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel. Sentencing set for 7/30/2020 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 2 or a place to be determined before District Judge Mary S. McElroy.(Potter, Carrie) (Entered: 04/30/2020)
04/30/2020 TEXT ORDER denying as moot 17 MOTION Regarding Conducting Change of Plea Hearing by Teleconference, denying as moot 18 MOTION Telephonic/Video Conference as to Pritkumar Tarunkumar Patel (1);. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 4/30/2020.(Potter, Carrie) (Entered: 04/30/2020)
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