N.Y. principal allegedly bought McDonald’s shake, nuggets for teen he tried to meet up with for sex
07/11/2023 2:36 pm PDT
UNION, N.Y. (TCD) -- A middle school principal was arrested in a sting operation when he allegedly tried to meet up with a 16-year-old for sex in a remote area.
According to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Daniel Erickson started communicating on Snapchat with a 16-year-old student and allegedly made “statements and eventually overt actions to indicate he was going to engage in sexual conduct with the minor.” He allegedly posed as a "younger adult," and then used his "position as the Johnson City Middle School principal and school district database information to convince the 16-year-old who he really was."
Erickson and the teen had allegedly been speaking for about a week prior to their scheduled meet-up on July 7. He allegedly "made multiple attempts to meet with her, including going to her home." The teen, however, did not leave her house to meet him.
On July 5, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office learned about Erickson’s alleged intentions to see the teen, and after that point, there was "no further risk of harm to the juvenile female at any time."
Sheriff Frederick Akshar said in a news briefing detectives went to the location where Erickson and the teen were supposed to meet and arrested him on charges of luring a child and attempted rape. He reportedly brought condoms, a McDonald’s "Grimace" shake, and chicken nuggets.
According to Johnson City School District Superintendent Eric Race said the "heinous" allegation "disturbs" him. Race said Erickson has been with the district for "23 or 24 years" and an administrator for 20.
Erickson is being held without bail.
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