Buffalo, New York Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Traveling to Vermont to Sexually Abuse a 12-Year-Old Child

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 27, 2026, Ian Blochwitz, 34, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge William K. Sessions III to a term of 120 months' imprisonment to be followed by a 6-year term of supervised release. Judge William K. Sessions III also imposed $6,166.80 in restitution for the victims of Blochwitz' criminal conduct. Blochwitz previously pleaded guilty to transporting a child in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

According to court records, Blochwitz met the victim on an anonymous text/video platform. The victim told Blochwitz that she was 12. Blochwitz continued to communicate with the child and ultimately made arrangements to meet the child in person.

On February 20, 2023, Blochwitz rented a car near his home in Buffalo, NY and traveled to Vermont. He picked up the 12-year-old child during morning hours, near her Vermont home and drove her to a short-term rental in Whitehall, New York. The child disclosed that while in NY she was sexually abused by Blochwitz. Additionally, the child described being intimidated to wear degrading items to fullfill Blochwitz's sexual fantasies. Prior to returning the child to her residence in Vermont, Blochwitz attempted to delete all previous correspondence with the child from her phone. Despite Blochwitz's attempts to dominate and control the child, she came forward and reported the abuse she experienced.

On September 14, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Blochwitz's apartment in Buffalo. Law enforcement recovered Blochwitz's cell phone, which was later found to contain visual depictions of child sex abuse involving a second child.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and thanked the Vermont Department for Children and Families for their coordination and assistance. "Blochwitz intentionally targeted a child for abuse, drove over 300 miles to pick her up in Vermont, transported her to New York, and abused her for his own sexual gratification. His actions are the fodder for the nightmares of Vermont parents. I am extremely grateful for the dedication of the investigating HSI Special Agents, and want to recognize the resilience the victim has demonstrated throughout this process."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Banker prosecuted the case. Blochwitz was represented by Rober C. Singer, Esq., of Williamsville, New York.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.