Federal officials detained a prominent artist and activist who identifies as “non-binary queer” on Friday for attempting to arrange anal relations with a nine-year-old kid in New York.
The US District Attorney’s Office arrested Efrem Zelony-Mindell, 35, for attempted enticement of a minor, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography – all felonies.
In April, Mindell, who uses they/them pronouns, allegedly used an encrypted messaging service to communicate with an undercover agent posing as the father of the Manhattan youngster.
In the communications, prosecutors stated that Mindell attempted to arrange a meeting with the kid, expressing his intention to engage in sexual behavior with minors “in graphic and unequivocal language.” The suspect also believed the child would be sedated before to the confrontation.
Efrem Zelony-Mindell, a notable artist and activist who identifies as “non-binary queer,” was detained on Friday by federal officials in New York for attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a nine-year-old kid.
In April, Mindell, who uses they/them pronouns, was investigated after sending encrypted messages to an undercover agent posing as the parent of a minor in Manhattan.
Zelony-Mindell, a prominent player in the New York art world, faces life in prison if convicted of the enticement charge and an additional 20 years for each child porn offense – which, according to authorities, the artist has already admitted to.
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, characterized Zelony-first Mindell’s appearance on his office’s radar in April 2017 when he addressed the artist’s weekend arrest.
The federal prosecution stated that Zelony-Mindell contacted the undercover FBI agent believing him to be the father of the young boy. They allegedly attempted to have an intimate relationship with the child through his father.
Williams stated that Zelony-Mindell met the undercover agent on a Manhattan street corner on Friday with the assumption that he would take them to meet the young child and sexually attack him while he was partially sedated.
In the communications, prosecutors stated that Mindell attempted to arrange a meeting with the kid, expressing his intention to engage in sexual behavior with minors “in graphic and unequivocal language.” The suspect apparently believed the youngster would be drugged before to the encounter, and supplied the undercover agent videos and photographs portraying sex activities on children.
Zelony-Mindell, who communicated with the agent using the alias Evan Smith, supplied the agent images depicting a young child being forced to perform oral sex on an adult male and a young boy’s penis and anus being exposed while being restrained by an adult.
Instead, federal investigators supervising the sting arrested Zelony-Mindell and charged her with possessing and distributing child pornography based on photographs and videos given to the agent during their electronic conversation.
Court filings filed on Friday showed the breadth of the distressing information, which included a video transmitted by Zelony-Mindell in May showing ‘an adult male raping an approximately 11-year-old youngster via oral penetration.’
Other damning images sent by Zelony-Mindell, who communicated with the agent under the alias Evan Smith, depicted an approximately four-year-old boy being forced to perform oral sex on an adult male and an approximately 12-year-old boy whose penis and anus were exposed while being restrained by an adult male.
His office first became aware of Zelony-Mindell in April, when he began corresponding with the undercover agent. Zelony-Mindell has taught and lectured on art and photography at universities across the country.
According to court filings filed in the Southern District of New York, Zelony-Mindell waived their Miranda rights, consented to speak with law authorities, and admitted possessing and distributing child pornography during an interview.
Shortly before her arrest, Zelony-Mindell reportedly met with another agent at a coffee shop between Greenwich Street and Hudson Street in lower Manhattan, before proceeding to the apartment where the child was allegedly located.
The art specialist, who has lectured at colleges around the country and written about art and photography for media such as Huffington Post and Vice, was detained shortly after Zelony-Mindell met the second agent outside.
Zelony-Mindell, a prominent player in the New York art world, was detained on Friday and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on the enticement charge, plus an additional 20 years for each child porn offense, which officials believe the artist has already admitted to. On the homepage of his website, he advertises paintings that frequently depict the male form.
Zelony-Mindell allegedly sought to engage in sexual conduct with a nine-year-old kid, according to US attorney Williams’ statement regarding the bureau’s months-long investigation.
The protection of children from sexual abuse remains a top priority for this office, and we will continue to utilize our resources and collaborate with law enforcement partners to bring criminals to justice.
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll chastised the suspect further for having once written an article touting the ‘iconic’ photography of a Seattle teenage prostitute.
According to FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll, Mr. Zelony-purported Mindell’s acts are almost inconceivable.
Meanwhile, Zelony-social Mindell’s media profiles are filled with suggestive artwork and language, with the artist recently posting a piece depicting two men with a wire hanger protruding from each of their anuses.
“Today’s action should serve as a reminder to anybody who preys on children that the FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue you relentlessly and hold you accountable,” the FBI said in a statement.
Zelony-Mindell, a 2011 graduate of New York’s prestigious School of Visual Arts in photography and painting, has also led advocacy initiatives advocating for under-recognized LGBTQ+ photographers in New York.
Meanwhile, Zelony-social Mindell’s media profiles are filled with suggestive artwork and language, with the artist recently posting a piece depicting two men with a wire hanger protruding from each of their anuses.
One meme shared by the artist, whose work frequently emphasizes the masculine form, said, “Just because I have esoteric views and interests does not mean I am a pervert.”
Zelony-Mindell did not respond to calls for comment.
“Just because I have esoteric views and interests does not make me a pervert,” reads one of the many memes posted by the artist, whose work frequently depicts men. reads
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