Brooklyn Man Charged Over Alleged Cross-State Sexual Exploitation of Minor

June 25, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

A federal grand jury has indicted a 24-year-old Brooklyn man on charges of coercing and enticing a minor and travelling across state lines to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.

Prosecutors allege that Claude Lennon communicated with a 14-year-old victim through an online messaging platform and continued sexually explicit conversations after learning the victim’s age. Court documents state that Lennon later arranged to meet the victim in Wilmington, Delaware, where the alleged offence occurred.

According to the indictment, Lennon travelled by train from New York to Delaware and used a ride-hailing service to reach the agreed meeting location. Authorities allege he brought condoms, gave the victim about 80 US dollars and provided marijuana edibles before the encounter.

Lennon faces one count of coercion and enticement of a minor under federal law and one count of travelling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency, the Wilmington Police Department and the New York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia L. Pare and Bryan C. Williamson are handling the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace announced the indictment, while authorities stressed that the charges remain allegations and that Lennon is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other legal factors if there is a conviction.

Source: FSX Business News