By: Yuritza Arroyo
A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, man has been charged with using an internet-based chat application to entice a minor to engage in prostitution, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Louis Goldenberg, 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is charged by complaint with one count of attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution.
Goldenberg made his initial appearance on September 19, in Camden federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In August , Goldenberg began interacting on a messaging application with an undercover agent, who was posing as a middle-aged woman with a 12-year-old niece.
From August through September 2023, Goldenberg messaged the undercover agent, continuously expressing interest in having sexual contact with the minor.
During one of the conversations, Goldenberg indicated a specific hotel in Mt. Laurel where he wanted to have sex with the minor.
On September 18 Goldenberg traveled from Pennsylvania to the Mt. Laurel hotel, where he had a reservation for that evening.
When Goldenberg arrived, he was arrested.
The count of enticement carries a mandatory minimum term of incarceration of 10 years in prison, a potential maximum term of life in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.