MILFORD, PA - A New York resident was sentenced at Pike County Court for attempting to engage in sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 18 and having numerous videos and photos depicting child sexual abuse material. Robert

Acoveno, age 41, of Port Jervis, New York, previously entered a plea of guilty to the crimes of Criminal Attempt to Commit Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a minor, Unlawful Contact with a Minor, and Sexual Abuse of Children.

Pike County President Judge Gregory H. Chelak sentenced Acoveno to a total sentence of not less than 108 months up to 240 months in a state correctional facility with 3 years of probation supervision to follow. Acoveno has a fine of $1,500.00 for the listed charge. Acoveno was designated to be a sexually violent predator under Pennsylvania Megan’s Law.

According to the affidavit of probable cause supporting the charge, an undercover detective from the District Attorney’s Office assumed the identity of a 14-year-old female on a social media application. From February 29, 2024, to March 20, 2024, Acoveno continued communication with the undercover detective and planned to meet with the 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct. Once Acoveno was taken into custody, detectives obtained a search warrant for Acoveno’s cellular phone. As the detectives conducted a forensic extraction of Acoveno’s cellular phone, they discovered numerous photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse material.

Acoveno has been held at Pike County correctional facility pending the outcome of the case. He will now be transferred to a state correctional facility to begin serving his sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin.

Tonkin commented, “This case is a proactive approach by my office to arrest child predators to keep our community safe from these types of predators.”

*A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.