Tonawanda man charged after allegedly sexually harassing minor victim online for 4 years

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Tonawanda man was arrested and charged after he allegedly sexually harassed a minor victim online for four years, including by sending her explicit videos of himself, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

It is alleged that a 13-year-old minor victim met 32-year-old Trevor Knapp online in 2020 and during their conversations, Knapp would ask her to send naked photos of herself. She declined but video chatted with him when getting out of the shower, then he would take screenshots of her naked, officials said. It is also alleged that he would send her sexually explicit videos of himself.

Officials said Knapp used multiple online platforms to contact the victim, including friend finding website “mylol”, Google Chat, Google email accounts and Instagram. She would delete and block him but it is alleged that he would make new accounts to reach her.

The victim told Knapp to leave her alone for months and repeatedly told him her age, officials said. When she told him she had a boyfriend, Knapp allegedly responded by asking for images of her and her boyfriend having sex.

The victim contacted an Arizona Police Department complaining about Knapp in April 2024. A search was executed at Knapp’s residence on Oct. 10. A preliminary search of his cell phone recovered a sexually explicit video including Knapp and the victim, officials said.

Knapp was charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine if convicted.