Man accused of enticing teen boy on social media

A Connecticut man has been charged with enticing a minor after allegedly soliciting a young teenage boy in exchange for a shopping spree, police said.

On Feb. 14, the Guilford Police Department launched a joint investigation with the Weston Police Department into online interactions between a 14-year-old boy and an adult male, according to Guilford police.

The investigation alleges that the adult male, 59-year-old John Degennaro of Guilford, met the boy online using the Snapchat App. Degennaro allegedly agreed to pay for an Uber to drive the boy to a train station, where he traveled to New Haven and was picked up by Degennaro. Police allege that Degennaro then brought the boy to an area mall, where he purchased thousands of dollars worth of items for him.

According to Guilford police, the boy allegedly stayed at Degennaro’s residence overnight on multiple occasions.

The investigation alleges that Degennaro was soliciting the boy to be in an intimate relationship, including sexual contact and the exchange of nude photographs, Guilford police said. It is also alleged that Degennaro had hidden cameras in his home and was recording sexual activity without the knowledge or consent of others.

Degennaro was arrested and charged with risk of injury to a minor and enticing a minor. He was being held on a $250,000 court-set bond, according to Guilford police.

Anyone who has visited Degennaro’s home and believes they have been the victim should contact the Guilford Police Department’s Detective Unit at 203-453-8243. Although an arrest has been made, the investigation remains active, said Guilford police.