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California Man Charged With Raping Cattaraugus County Girl

A California man is facing a potential life sentence after reportedly raping a 14-year-old girl from Cattaraugus County.

Loren Glen Warner, 27, of Fresno, Ca., appeared in the U.S. District Court in Buffalo on Friday, where he was charged by criminal complaint with enticement of a minor. The charge carries a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that in early January, Warner met the 14-year-old victim at her family’s church in Cattaraugus County.

When the two began communicating via Facebook and Snapchat, Warner, who reportedly knew the victim was 14 years old, began making sexual references and statements, even sending sexually explicit images of himself. He asked for and received nude photographs of the victim as well.

According to Baumgarten, in the early morning hours of Jan. 23, Warner drove to the victim’s residence. The victim got into the car and the two had sexual intercourse.

The investigation was initiated by the New York State Police who received a report from the legal guardian of the victim. The legal guardian reported that she woke up early on Jan. 23 and saw the victim walking toward the house, while Warner was in his car at the end of the driveway. She also reported that later in the day, the victim told her that Warner had sexual intercourse with her.

On March 27, Warner pleaded guilty to second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a minor in Cattaraugus County Court. He is scheduled to be sentenced on those charges on June 12.

The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., and is being held.

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