James S. Carroll, 55, was arrested on Tuesday following a criminal complaint filed in US District Court in connection with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Federal authorities allege that between Tuesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 14, Carroll used the Discord messaging platform to communicate with an undercover officer posing as the father of a young child.
During this time, Carroll allegedly directed the undercover officer to abuse the child over a period of approximately two weeks.
Law enforcement traced the Discord activity back to Carroll’s residence and workplace through his IP addresses, prosecutors said.
Carroll, who led the National Child Research Center, is charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment.
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