Alleged rapist Ronald Sheridan may not be charged on a federal
level, said Special Agent Michael Gimbel, FBI spokesperson for the
Oakland division.
Sheridan is being charged with four New York state charges
– three charges of second-degree rape and one charge of
disseminating indecent material to a minor, according to
reports.
Sheridan was arrested in a motel in Henrietta, N.Y., on Sept. 5
by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, said Special Agent Paul
Moskal, FBI spokesperson for the Buffalo, N.Y. division.
When a case has state charges pending, federal charges usually
aren’t filed because it is an unwise use of public funds, Moskal
said.
Alleged rapist Ronald Sheridan may not be charged on a federal level, said Special Agent Michael Gimbel, FBI spokesperson for the Oakland division.
Sheridan is being charged with four New York state charges – three charges of second-degree rape and one charge of disseminating indecent material to a minor, according to reports.
Sheridan was arrested in a motel in Henrietta, N.Y., on Sept. 5 by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, said Special Agent Paul Moskal, FBI spokesperson for the Buffalo, N.Y. division.
When a case has state charges pending, federal charges usually aren’t filed because it is an unwise use of public funds, Moskal said.
“The federal government doesn’t become involved unless there are egregious circumstances,” Moskal said.
This would apply to a suspect who preys on children or has multiple victims, he said.
In a search of Sheridan’s Hollister residence, agents confiscated his computer, which is being analyzed by forensic examiners, Gimbel said.
Computer specialists are currently imaging the hard drive and reviewing it for evidentiary value – expressly looking for child pornography, Gimbel said.
The findings will be relayed to the Rochester District Attorney’s office to decide whether or not they want to take control of the computer.
“If child pornography is found, hypothetically it could influence additional federal charges,” Gimbel said. “They could very well stay with what he’s charged with right now.”
The bottom line is that the decision will be made in New York, Gimbel said.
