A Seneca Falls man arrested last year in a child sexual exploitation sting in Auburn was sentenced Tuesday in Cayuga County Court.
John Steinruck received four months of weekend jail, 10 years of probation, and sex offender registration. The Citizen reports the District Attorney’s Office had recommended three years in prison, but the court rejected that request.
Steinruck was arrested in August 2024 at Melone Village after attempting to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover officer. The investigation also led to two other arrests and a suicide in front of officers.
Another suspect, 43-year-old Junayd Abdulkhafid of Syracuse was found guilty of second-degree attempted criminal sexual act in September. Abdulkhafid faces up to four years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18.
The case involved the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, the Auburn Police Department, the New York State Police, the FBI, and the DA’s office.
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