BRONX DA STING SNARES ALLEGED SEXUAL PREDATOR -- DEFENDANT IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO DISSEMINATE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL TO “CHILDREN” VIA THE INTERNET

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the arrest of a 26 year old New Jersey man on charges of attempting to disseminate sexually explicit nude images to numerous “underage” girls via the Internet.

Travis Squibb, 26, of Ridgewood, New Jersey was arrested following a month long investigation during which Squibb allegedly sent nude pictures of himself via email to an undercover detective whom the defendant believed to be a 14 year old girl. NYPD Detectives assigned to the Bronx DA Squad took Squibb into custody at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan where the defendant is employed as an Echocardiogram Technician.

Squibb has been charged with Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the 1st and 2nd degrees, and Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Squibb is facing a maximum sentence of up to 4 years imprisonment if convicted of the most serious charge which is a Class E felony offense.

It is alleged that during the course of 36 days between April 4, 2007 and May 9, 2007, Squibb engaged in 42 separate Internet conversations with the undercover detective. The combined length of the chats was in excess of 45 hours and involved five different screen names used by the detective. All five online identities purportedly belonged to 13 and 14 year old girls. These Internet encounters allegedly included visual communication in which the defendant transmitted nude images of himself via webcam. It is also alleged that during the course of the investigation Squibb himself assumed two different online identities one of which was supposed to be that of a 14 year old girl.

Mr. Johnson said the investigation is continuing with the cooperation of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey which will execute a search warrant at the defendant’s home.

District Attorney Johnson thanked Captain Charles Barbuti, Sergeant Kenny Leonas and Detective Michael Smith of the Bronx DA’s Squad for their efforts that resulted in today’s arrest.

Assistant District Attorney Penney Vachiraprapun of the Arson/Auto/Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.