MUSICIAN SENTENCED TO 97 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR
USING THE INTERNET TO ATTEMPT TO ENTICE
MINOR GIRL TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DENNIS JOSEPH, a/k/a "Dennis Stevens," a/k/a "DSax25," was sentenced yesterday evening by United States District Judge RICHARD OWEN to 97 months’ imprisonment for the enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

JOSEPH was found guilty of one count of child enticement on July 14, 2006, following an eight-day jury trial before Judge OWEN. The evidence at trial established that JOSEPH, using the internet screen name "DSax25," communicated over the internet with a special agent of the FBI acting as an undercover and posing as a thirteen-year old girl ("Julie"). From August 22 until August 31, 2005, JOSEPH, initiated numerous internet instant message conversations with and sent several e-mails to "Julie."

According to the evidence at trial, JOSEPH, who was 40 years-old at the time, wrote to the girl that he would teach her about sex, including how to perform oral sex. He also described his career as a musician and wrote that he was a substitute musical performer in a Broadway musical. JOSEPH also e-mailed a photograph of himself to "Julie." In addition, pursuant to JOSEPH’s request, "Julie" sent JOSEPH a picture of a 13 year-old girl purporting to be a picture of her. In one of his e-mails, JOSEPH arranged to meet "Julie" at a location in downtown Manhattan on August 31, 2005. At the arranged time and meeting place, JOSEPH was arrested by FBI agents.

The evidence at trial further established that, in July and August of 2005, JOSEPH attempted to entice someone else whom he also believed to be a 13 year-old girl. JOSEPH exchanged over 40 internet instant message conversations and e-mails with her in which he discussed, among other things, oral sex, masturbation and intercourse.

JOSEPH, 41, used to reside in the upper west side of Manhattan. He was the president of Marty Stevens Music, a company that arranges musical performances for weddings, parties, and other occasions. JOSEPH, a career musician, has performed at Carnegie Hall and was an adjunct professor of music at Nassau Community College in Long Island, New York. JOSEPH also previously served as the conductor of various youth orchestras, including the Turtle Bay Youth Orchestra and the Junior Strings Orchestra at the Lucy Moses School in Manhattan.

Mr. GARCIA praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crimes Against Children Squad. Assistant United States Attorneys MARIA E. DOUVAS and ANJAN SAHNI are in charge of the prosecution.

06-193

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