U.S. Attorney Charges Former Rockland County Coach With Transporting Minors To Engage In Illegal Sexual Activity

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging VICTOR BYRNE, 56, with transporting two minors to engage in illegal sexual activity in 2006 and 2008.  BYRNE was arrested this morning in Orlando, Florida and presented in Orlando federal court.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Victor Byrne allegedly used his position as a diving coach to sexually exploit young athletes.  This case illustrates that the passage of years will not prevent us from holding accountable those who prey on children.”   

As alleged in the Indictment filed on August 17, 2022, in White Plains federal court and unsealed today and in statements made today at the presentment in Orlando federal court:[1]

In or about July 2006, VICTOR BYRNE, the defendant, knowingly transported a 16-year-old minor (“Victim-1”) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Rockland County, New York with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity with Victim-1. 

In or about February 2008, VICTOR BYRNE knowingly transported a 16-year-old minor (“Victim-2”) from New Jersey to Rockland County, New York with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity with Victim-2.

From in or about 2001 until at least in or about 2009, BYRNE was a diving coach in Rockland County, New York who coached a team of competitive divers.  Victim-1 and Victim-2 were divers for BYRNE.  Victim-1 and Victim-2 are adults today, and they are law enforcement officers.  Victim-1 is a police officer in New York.  Victim-2 is a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations.

The defendant’s criminal conduct occurred repeatedly over a period of years:  The defendant began abusing Victim-1 when she was about 14 years old.  For Victim-2, the abuse began when she was 16.

Mr. Williams stated that the investigation is ongoing.  Mr. Williams requests that any individuals who have information with respect to VICTOR BYRNE contact Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line (866) 347-2423.

BYRNE, 56, of Orlando, Florida, is charged with two counts of transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.  Count One, which charges an offense that occurred in or about July 2006, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Count Two, which charges an offense that occurred in or about February 2008, carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life.  

The statutory mandatory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Following today’s presentment, Judge David Baker ordered that BYRNE be detained pending a hearing in Orland federal court scheduled for September 12, 2022.

Mr. Williams praised the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshal Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the New York City Police Department Special Victims Unit assigned to the HSI Human Trafficking Task Force in connection with this investigation.  He added that the investigation is ongoing.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.