West New York man pleads guilty; went to Illinois for sex-and-photos spree with 13-year-old boy

The New Jersey Journal

TRENTON - A West New York man pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges that he traveled to Illinois to have sex with a 13-year-old boy, authorities said.

Eric Duprey, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2.

At his plea hearing, Duprey admitted that he spent several months chatting over the Internet with a victim he believed was 15 years old and traveled to Illinois last February and April. On both occasions, Duprey admitted, he and his victim spent several days in an Illinois hotel, where Duprey repeatedly sexually abused the boy and took photographs of the abuse.

"Our most important concern here are the victims," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Cruise. "The FBI Victim Assistance Program is involved and trying to mitigate the damage Mr. Duprey caused by tracking down any potential other victims and providing necessary services."

After receiving a tip that Duprey was trafficking in child pornography, the FBI searched his West New York home on the 6100 block of Jefferson Street and found a "sex slave contract" between Duprey and the boy dated April 1, 2009, authorities said. Also seized was a computer disk that contained images of sexually explicit contact between Duprey and his victim, authorities said.