Ithaca Man Arrested on Federal Child Enticement, Porn Charges

David Pastorello, a 44-year-old man from Ithaca, has been arrested on federal charges of enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography after allegedly texting a girl under 12 years old, requesting sexual contact, and sending indecent images including child pornography. He reportedly entered the victim's apartment without permission before fleeing and was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals. Pastorello was out on bond from previous state charges involving child sexual exploitation, including possessing a sexual performance by a child under 16 and disseminating indecent material to a minor, to which he pleaded guilty in July. Federal prosecutors emphasized Pastorello's repeated offenses and the cooperation of local and federal law enforcement in apprehending him. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life for enticement and 5 to 20 years for distribution, as well as mandatory registration as a sex offender. Authorities highlighted concerns over Pastorello being out on bond while committing new offenses and pledged to continue protecting children from such predators.