Port Deposit, Maryland, man was sentenced to a period of 11years and 3 months (135 months) imprisonment to be followed by a 25 year period of supervised release for sexually exploitation of a minor while traveling with the minor across several states.

October 27, 2006

Glenn T. Suddaby, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; John F. Pikus, Special Agent in Charge, Albany Division - Federal Bureau of Investigation; James P. Thompson, Assistant Director of the Broome County Government Security Division, C.A.T.S. Unit; Wayne E. Bennett, Superintendent, New York State Police; and Thomas J. Loughren, Chenango County Sheriff, make the following announcement:

Lewis Lee, 55, who formerly resided at 263 Adams Road, Port Deposit, Maryland, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Court Judge Thomas J. McAvoy in Federal District Court, Binghamton, New York, to a period of 11years and 3 months (135 months) imprisonment to be followed by a 25 year period of supervised release. Lee previously pleaded guilty on May 31, 2006 to all four felony counts of an indictment relating to Lee's sexual exploitation of a minor while traveling with the minor across several states in the Spring of 2006 and to Lee's violation of a court order of protection.

By his plea, Lee admitted that in March of 2006, Lee traveled from the state of Maryland to Chenango County, New York in order to meet with a minor whom he had come to know while Lee had been the pastor of a local church in Sherburne, New York. By contacting and meeting with the minor, Lee violated a court issued Order Of Protection which directed Lee to have no contact of any type with that minor. Lee admitted that he traveled from Maryland to Chenango County, New York in order to engage in sexual conduct with the minor. Lee also admitted that in March and April of 2006 Lee transported the minor across several states and engaged in sexual acts with the minor.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police and the Chenango County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Miroslav Lovric.

Further inquiries may be directed to the United States Attorney's Office, Binghamton Branch office at 607-773-2887.