Evergreen Reporter

This morning, David Ibarra, a senior airman in the United States Air Force, was arraigned in federal court in Central Islip. He faces charges of sexual exploitation of a child, coercion, and enticement. The proceedings took place before United States District Court Judge Joanna Seybert, who ordered Ibarra to be detained pending trial.

The charges were announced by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Leslie Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York Field Office.

“As alleged, the defendant, a 31-year-old man posing as a 13-year-old boy, manipulated a vulnerable child into producing and sending him sexually explicit images and videos of herself via text message in exchange for money,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “My Office will continue its relentless pursuit of sexual predators who target children and work to secure lengthy prison sentences in these cases to protect our community and children from such conduct.”

Leslie Backschies commented on the allegations: “As alleged in the indictment, this individual targeted and then repeatedly coerced a child into sending him sexually explicit photos and videos of herself—produced at his specific direction—in exchange for money.” She emphasized that "the FBI is committed to finding and arresting the monsters who prey on vulnerable children."

According to court documents, law enforcement traced Ibarra through cell phone records linked to communications with a 9-year-old girl from Suffolk County, New York. He allegedly solicited sexually explicit content from her while pretending to be a 13-year-old boy named “Dave” living in Texas. It is reported that Ibarra made approximately 17 payments to the victim’s Apple Pay account.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation. The project seeks to locate and prosecute offenders while rescuing victims.

Ibarra has been charged but remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment with potential extension up to 30 years.

The prosecution is being managed by Assistant United States Attorney Paul G. Scotti from the Criminal Section of the Long Island Division.