Man charged with enticing a minor in Dutchess County

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) reported that an Illinois man has been arrested following a sex crime investigation in Dutchess County. Derek Hasselbrink, 48, of Quincy, is facing multiple charges.

Hasselbrink is accused of sending sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl in Dutchess County, and traveling to meet the victim near her home with the intent to have sex with her. According to the USAO, Hasselbrink is a previously convicted sex offender. He was taken into custody on June 12.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated "As alleged, Derek Hasselbrink, a 48-year-old convicted sex offender, pretended to be a 17-year-old boy online in an effort to coerce and entice a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. Hasselbrink allegedly knew that his victim was a minor, so he lied about his own age and took other measures to hide his unlawful intent. This Office will continue to relentlessly pursue predators who sexually exploit children, whether online or in person."

Hasselbrink was charged with one count of enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and one count of engaging in this offense while being required to register as a sex offender. If convicted, both crimes each carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which would run consecutively.

"Those who prey upon the innocence of children represent the dark and twisted side of the criminal underworld," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith. "Derek Hasselbrink - having failed to register as a previously convicted sex offender - allegedly seduced and coerced a minor female to participate in illicit sexual activity through lewd and horrifyingly explicit messages. Today's arrest emphasizes the FBI's intrepid vigilance to protecting one of our most vulnerable populations, especially from those who seek to exploit and harm them for perverse gratification."

The case is being handled by the USAO's White Plains Division. The investigation was conducted by numerous agencies, including the FBI, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and the Quincy, Illinois Police Department.