BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Salamanca man was arrested by undercover investigators after prosecutors say he attempted to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex, knowing the alleged victim was 14 years old.
Richard Buffalo, 36, is charged with enticement of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene matter to an individual under the age of 16. Prosecutors say Buffalo began communicating with a 14-year-old girl on social media beginning in October. Buffalo is accused of asking the girl "if she wanted to have sex with him." Prosecutors also say Buffalo offered to pick her up. Buffalo is accused of continuing to try to meet up with the girl after she told him her age.
Starting in November, an undercover officer started posing as the victim online and communicating with Buffalo. Through Snapchat and text messaging, investigators say Buffalo asked the undercover officer for nude images and asked if she wanted to meet for sex, believing that he was still speaking to the 14-year-old girl. He is also accused of sending nude images of himself to the officer.
Following these communications between the undercover officer and Buffalo, prosecutors say Buffalo again requested to meet in person, and the undercover officer accepted. When Buffalo arrived at the agreed-upon location, he was arrested.
Buffalo is being held in federal custody until his detention hearing on December 8. If convicted of the current charges, Buffalo faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
