For Immediate Release
7-6-2026
Onondaga County, NY — Onondaga County Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a Syracuse – area man following an investigation into the exploitation of a 12-year-old female.
The investigation began after patrol deputies responded to a report of a young girl located in a parking lot with an older male. The male fled the scene when another adult approached. Detectives subsequently conducted a thorough review of the victim’s Snapchat account, uncovering a history of digital messages between the two that indicated physical sexual contact had occurred.
The suspect was identified as James M. Desantis, from Syracuse, 45 years Old, a New York State Risk Level 3 registered sex offender. Desantis was successfully apprehended, arrested, and booked into the Onondaga County Justice Center.
Desantis faces numerous felony and misdemeanor charges under New York State Penal Law, including:
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Attempted Rape in the 1st Degree (Class B Felony)
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Luring a Child to Commit a Felony (Class C Felony)
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Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree: Forcible Compulsion (Class D Felony)
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Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree: Victim Under 13 / Defendant Over 21 (Class D Felony)
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Coercion in the 1st Degree: Causing Fear of Personal or Property Injury (Two Counts, Class D Felony)
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Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree: Compulsion (Class D Felony)
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Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree: Victim Under 13 (Class D Felony)
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Stalking in the 1st Degree: Committing a Specified Sex Offense (Class D Felony)
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Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the 1st Degree (Class D Felony)
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Obscenity in the 3rd Degree: Obscene Performance (Class A Misdemeanor)
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Acting in a Manner Injurious to a Child Under 17 (Two Counts, Class A Misdemeanor)
Public Assistance Requested
Due to the nature of the online communications and the suspect’s history, Sheriff’s Detectives strongly believe there may be additional victims in the community who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with additional information, or who believes they or someone they know may have had similar contact with James M. Desantis, is urgently asked to contact the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Detectives at 315-435-3081. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.
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