BUFFALO (WBEN) - A volunteer coach at the YMCA has been arrested for soliciting sex with a minor.
Francesco Maccarrone has been charged disseminating indecent materials to a minor, which is a class D felony, along with endangering the welfare of a child for actions that took place over the course of a year.
"He was allegedly sending innappropriate text messages to a young girl who was below the age of 14; she may be 14 now, but she was 13 at the time," said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn. "There was also an indication, an allegation, that he actually tried to meet up with her at Caz Park. The meeting never took place, but the allegations also contain that he was trying to set the meeting as well."
The girl apparently told a family member about the text messages, and that's when law enforcement became knowledgable of the situation.
"The young girl who was the subject of the unwarranted text messages, brought it to her grandmother's attention," he said.
Flynn says Maccarrone has no previous record, and that he also was involved coaching or volunteering in some capacity with Nardin Academy and the Police Athletic League.
"If anyone from any of those organizations has any further information about this individual, please contact me and let me know as well so we can include that as part of our investigation," said Flynn. "I can assure the parents of the YMCA and assure the parents of these other athletic organizatios who have their young daughters going to these programs, that this individual will be dealt with to the fullest extent by my office."
The next step in the case is a felony hearing on January 10, which is a probable cause hearing to determine of there is enough evidence against Maccarrone to move forward in the case. If convicted on the charges, Maccarrone could face up to seven years in prison.