BUFFALO, NY—A federal jury found David Allen Vickers, 50, of Stanley, NY guilty of transporting two minors with the intent to have sex, officials announced Wednesday.
“That this defendant continuously abused numerous children over almost a quarter of a century makes him one of the area’s most prolific and dangerous abusers we have convicted,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul.
Adding, “Thanks to the courage of four of the victims who testified, today’s verdicts mean that this defendant will never again harm another child.”
The sentencing is scheduled for June 24, and Vickers is facing up to 10 years in prison.
According to the evidence introduced at trial, the defendant, an over the road truck driver, transported two victims to Canada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and repeatedly abused and molested them while he was making deliveries.
This abuse occurred in the time frame of 1999 to 2007, officials said.
The trial evidence also disclosed that the defendant abused other children, with the first abuse beginning in 1983, according to officials.
This pattern of abuse included extensive psychological manipulation of the victims (sometimes referred to as “grooming”), and was facilitated through the defendant’s projection of benevolence to the victims’ families.
The defendant also operated a bed and breakfast on Seneca Lake, “Paradise on the Lake,” to which he took the eventual victims to manipulate and gain their trust, authorities stated.
The defendant also gave the victims alcohol, cigarettes, toys, and access to ATVs.
The defendant’s cover was so successful, in fact, that both of the victims named in the indictment had, at one time, been assigned to the custody of the defendant by a Family Court Judge, officials said..