NY- Man caught in Internet sting sentenced to prison

5-5-2008 New York:

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A Colonie man who pleaded guilty to charges in connection with an Internet sex sting by state police was sentenced to prison on Monday.

Joseph Lansing, 50, was sentenced to one and a half years in prison and ten years post release supervision. Lansing pleaded guilty in March to one count of attempted disseminating indecent materials to minors.

According to the Albany County DA's office, back in January Lansing had sexual conversations with a person he believed was a 13-year-old. He was actually talking with a member of the state police. Lansing also went to a local McDonald's to meet the "child" for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.

DA David Soares released a statement saying, “Child predators previously associated with trench coats in dark corners now have direct access into the living rooms and bedrooms of every child connected to the Internet. In this case, the online conversations are troubling, but the willingness of this defendant to follow through with his intentions by arranging a meeting with her is even more disturbing. As a community we must monitor our children’s use of the Internet, and I promise to aggressively pursue these criminals who take advantage of our youth and hold them accountable for their egregious actions.” ..News Source.. by Capitol News9