BREAKING: A 27-year-old from New York, James Pagliaro, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child exploitation, admitting to using TikTok and Snapchat to prey on young girls, including minors in Connecticut. This urgent case highlights the alarming risks of social media for vulnerable youth.
In a court session on March 19, 2025, Pagliaro confessed to serious offenses before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport. He faces a potential prison sentence ranging from five years to life, underscoring the severity of his actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut confirmed these charges, which include the receipt of child pornography and the enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The investigation revealed that Pagliaro first contacted a 15-year-old girl from Connecticut on TikTok in October 2024. By December, the girl disclosed her age, but their communication escalated into explicit content. Over the following months, Pagliaro reportedly traveled to Connecticut on at least three occasions to engage in sexual conduct with the minor, exploiting her trust and innocence.
A forensic investigation of the victim’s iPhone in February 2025 uncovered a shocking cache of evidence: hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos, along with over 11,000 text messages and 300 iOS and FaceTime calls exchanged between Pagliaro and the victim. Court records indicate that he directed the minor to perform specific sexual acts, including sadistic and masochistic behaviors.
The investigation further revealed that Pagliaro was not limited to one victim. He had also been in contact with minors across the globe, including a 15-year-old girl in the United Kingdom, another in New Jersey, and a 16-year-old girl in Florida. Alarmingly, in March 2025 alone, he sent explicit messages to approximately 600 Snapchat users believed to be minors, sharing sexually explicit images with at least 68 of them.
Pagliaro has been in custody since his arrest, and his sentencing is scheduled for May 8. This case serves as a critical reminder of the dangers lurking on social media platforms and the urgent need for protective measures for minors online.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about child exploitation to report it via www.cybertipline.com. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving HSI New England, HSI New York, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and several local police departments in Connecticut.
As this case unfolds, it raises significant concerns about the safety of children online. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
