ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scarlet Shadows a/k/a “Dragongurl69,” age 31, of West Rutland, Vermont, appeared today in federal court on a charge that she attempted to entice a minor into sexual activity.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the criminal complaint, Shadows attempted to entice and coerce an individual, whom Shadows believed to be an 11-year-old girl, to have sex. After weeks of exchanging sexually explicit text messages with undercover law enforcement officers, Shadows arranged to meet the child in Warren County, New York. Before being arrested yesterday, Shadows traveled from Vermont to Warren County with an engagement ring, condoms, and gifts for the child.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Shadows faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Additionally, if convicted, Shadows would be required to register as a sex offender.
Shadows appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, who ordered Shadows detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for February 1, 2022.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation may contact the FBI’s Albany Field Office at (518) 431-4866.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc
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