OSWEGO -- An Oswego County man is under arrest after prosecutors say he tried to use social media to have sex with a teenage boy.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in March 22-year-old John Leavens of Oswego contacted a 14-year-old Oswego boy on Facebook and tried to talk the boy into meeting him for a sexual encounter. The incident was reported to police, who investigated and arrested Leavens.
Leavens is charged with a federal count of child exploitation. Prosecutors accuse him of “Using a facility of interstate commerce to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce and attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity.”
If convicted, officials say Leavens faces a sentence of ten years to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and probation. He would also be required to register as a sex offender.
Leavens is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, July 12.
