Albany FBI Internet Safety Presentation leads to arrest of California man for sextortion
Albany, NY (WRGB) — A California man was arrested on Friday on charges of sexual exploitation of a child in the Capital Region.
The United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said Monday morning.
During a press conference, CBS6 learned the suspect is 20-year-old Devin Ravine, a.k.a Derek Johnson.
Ravine met the 15-year-old victim through a dating app, and their conversations continued via text
Ravine was using the name Derek Johnson when communicating with the minor.
"Want to rub your thighs and blank on FaceTime," is what one of the messages Ravine sent the minor, who is identified as Jane Doe #1 in the criminal complaint.
"Ravine sent pictures of himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct and asked and persuaded the girl to take and send to him images and videos of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct," said Sarcone. "The child complied with some of these requests, ultimately sending him a video of her engaged in sexually explicit conduct."
Earlier this month, during an FBI internet safety presentation at a Rensselaer County school, the victim spoke with FBI agents about what had happened to her.
FBI agents heard her statement, collected evidence, and contacted the FBI Los Angeles Office to locate the suspect.
"In a room packed with her peers, she heard the message, recognized what was happening, and spoke up for herself. Because of her bravery, the abuse stopped immediately," said SAC Craig Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Office.
The FBI in Los Angeles, California, was able to locate Ravine and confirm he was the correct person.
A search warrant from a Riverside County judge allowed for an arrest to be made.
"This investigation illustrates perfectly why it's so important to be talking to our kids about the dangerous way these predators are exploiting them. We understand these are difficult conversations to have with children, but they need to know this type of contact is not just inappropriate. It's illegal," added Tremaroli.
The U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said this is a first-time offense, and the suspect could face up to 15-30 years in prison if convicted.
Sarcone says he will be pushing for the maximum sentence.
We’re told that Ravine is being held in a California jail, it’s up the U.S Marshall’s Office to bring him to New York, there’s no timeline of when that might happen.
The agencies have information that there may be other victims out there.
They also credit the classroom presentation for bringing the case to their attention.
