FORMER US WEEKLY REPORTER SENTENCED TO 72 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 TIMOTHY McDARRAH, a/k/a "PS41alum@aol.com," the former "Hot Stuff" Editor at US Weekly Magazine, was sentenced this afternoon in Manhattan federal court to 72 months’ imprisonment for the attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge PAUL A. CROTTY ordered McDARRAH to serve a term of 4 years of supervised release. On December 20, 2006, following an eight-day jury trial in Manhattan federal court, McDARRAH was found guilty of one count of attempted child enticement. The evidence at trial established:

McDARRAH initially responded to an undercover advertisement the FBI had posted on June 22, 2005, in the "erotic services" section of the Internet website "Craigslist," offering the "freshest, youngest girls" available in New York City.
Following an exchange of e-mails prompted by that advertisement, McDARRAH asked, "what it’ll cost for the cutest white 14 year old girl with a pony tail in the whole 8 grade."  McDARRAH specified in graphic terms the sexual activities he desired, agreed to pay $200 for oral sex with a thirteen-year old girl, and made plans to meet the girl on July 7, 2005. However, he did not appear at that meeting.

Thereafter, McDARRAH, using the Internet screen name"PS41alum@aol.com," communicated over the Internet with "Julie," whom McDARRAH believed to be a thirteen-year girl, but who was actually an undercover FBI agent posing as a young girl. From July 21, 2005 through September 14, 2005, McDARRAH, then 43 years old, communicated with "Julie" via instant messages, e-mails, and two telephone conversations. Among other things, McDARRAH wrote that he would tutor her to get her into high school, and provide her with "sex lessons." McDARRAH also described his job at US Weekly and how he interviewed and reported about the lives of celebrities such as Renée Zellweger and Jennifer Lopez. McDARRAH also e-mailed a photograph of himself to "Julie." In addition, at McDARRAH’s request, "Julie" sent McDARRAH a picture, purporting to be her, of a real 13-year old girl.

In his communications with "Julie" McDARRAH said he needed to be careful in case law enforcement was involved, and even sent her a newspaper article of a man who had been arrested in Pennsylvania for going after an undercover officer posing as a 13-year old in a chat room. McDARRAH told "Julie" that he wanted her "to see what trouble" he could get into with her, and stated:"Hope this never happens to me!!!"

McDARRAH also went to the area where he believed"Julie" was living in an effort to see her. McDARRAH wrote"Julie" that he went there twice; the third time McDARRAH appeared at the location, FBI agents arrested him.

McDARRAH also sent e-mails in response to other advertisements, asking if the poster was really 18 and stating that younger was fine with him.

McDARRAH resided in Manhattan. From in or about October 2004 through September 2005, McDARRAH worked as an editor and reporter for US Weekly Magazine.

Mr. GARCIA praised the hard work of the FBI Crimes Against Children Squad.

Assistant United States Attorneys REBECCA A. MONCK and REED M. BRODSKY are in charge of the prosecution.

07-101

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