High-Risk Pedophile Fired After Disturbing Arrest
A convicted pedophile, classified as “high-risk,” was dismissed from his position with the city of Syracuse, New York, following his arrest on alarming accusations involving a 12-year-old girl.
On Thursday, police acted on a report regarding an adult man with an underage girl in a parking lot. The man attempted to escape after being confronted by another adult, according to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect is said to have lured the girl to a hidden location in Lafayette, coercing her into sexual acts on two separate occasions. An examination of the victim’s social media activity suggested they had been in communication through Snapchat, hinting at a sexual relationship.
The man, identified as 45-year-old James M. DeSantis, was already registered as a high-risk sex offender.
Following his arrest, DeSantis was taken to the Onondaga County Justice Center and is now facing various charges, including:
- Attempted first-degree rape.
- Seducing a child to commit a serious crime.
- First-degree sexual abuse.
- Sexual abuse of minors.
- First-degree coercion.
- Third-degree aggravated sexual abuse.
- Aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.
- First-degree stalking.
- Distributing obscene material to minors.
- Third-degree lewd acts.
- Two counts of exhibiting harmful behavior towards a child under 17.
DeSantis has a troubling past, having been convicted of child sex crimes in 2004 and 2005. In one instance, he received a 10-year probation sentence for raping a 14-year-old girl, and in another, he was sentenced to five years for a similar crime involving a different 14-year-old. Both victims were known to him.
The latest allegations state that DeSantis coerced the child into secluded areas in Lafayette. He reportedly even sent her photos of firearms, claiming he was aware of her residence.
Having joined the Syracuse Department of Public Works in 2017, he was promoted to foreman in 2024. His termination came swiftly post-arrest, raising questions among city officials regarding how someone with his background was able to hold a position within the city for so long.
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens indicated that her administration is investigating the hiring practices that enabled DeSantis’s employment. “I’m extremely angered,” she expressed. “I have dedicated my life to protecting children and families, and this situation frustrates me deeply.”
DeSantis is set to have a hearing on Wednesday. The Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking assistance from the public to identify any additional potential victims in this case.
