A Harrisburg is going to prison after admitting he tried to have sex with children. Matthew Baratucci, age 29, of Harrisburg, was sentenced by Senior United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to 240 months’ (20 years) imprisonment, a $1,100 fine and ten years of supervision following his release from imprisonment, after pleading guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Baratucci solicited two women for the purpose of obtaining children with whom he intended to engage in sexual activity. One woman related that Baratucci wanted her to provide two children she babysat, ages five and nine. She said Baratucci threatened her with violence if the children were not provided. Investigators assumed the woman’s identity and arranged to meet Baratucci for the exchange of $150 for the two children. When investigators attempted to arrest Baratucci, he tried to flee, crashing into a vehicle before he was ultimately stopped by law enforcement. Baratucci pled guilty on May 21, 2014.
This case was the result of a collaborative effort between federal and state law enforcement. Attorney General Kathleen Kane commented “we will continue to work with our Federal, State and Local partners to hunt down and convict these predators”
