WHITE PLAINS – A 50-year-old Town of Poughkeepsie resident was arrested by federal agents on Friday for allegedly communicating online with a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl and attempting to meet the teen for sex while recording the encounter. The US Attorney’s Office on Tuesday announced the arrest of registered sex offender Louis West.
West is charged with one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender. The statutory minimum for these charges is 35 years’ imprisonment, and the maximum is life imprisonment.
“There are few crimes as horrific as the sexual exploitation of our children, particularly in cases like this one where the defendant has a history of sexual violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New York families have zero tolerance for this conduct, and we are acting on their behalf. Please read the allegations in this complaint and, if you think you see something similar, say something: call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or use the online tips page: .”
West, according to authorities, attempted to meet with the minor for sex. He negotiated the encounter with an undercover law enforcement officer. Later that evening, West went to the location in Orange County and spoke with another undercover agent, proved he had condoms with him, and entered the location where he thought the teen was located. He was arrested by FBI agents once inside.
When agents searched West, they found covert recording equipment, including a hidden camera disguised as an alarm clock and a pair of video-recording eyeglasses.
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