A registered Level 3 sex offender employed by the City of Syracuse has been fired after authorities accused him of exploiting a 12-year-old girl, prompting city officials to review hiring policies as investigators search for possible additional victims.
Authorities said the investigation began after deputies were called to a LaFayette parking lot, where an adult reportedly found James M. DeSantis with the 12-year-old girl inside a rental vehicle.
Authorities said another adult who knew the child approached the vehicle, and DeSantis allegedly fled before deputies arrived.
Investigators said a review of digital communications between DeSantis and the child revealed messages indicating that sexual contact had occurred.
Detectives later identified DeSantis as the suspect and arrested him before booking him into the Onondaga County Justice Center, where he is being held without bail.
According to the sheriff’s office, DeSantis, 45, is a New York Level 3 registered sex offender, the state’s highest risk classification.
The designation is applied to offenders considered to have a high risk of reoffending and who may pose a threat to public safety, according to Syracuse.com.
State records show DeSantis was previously convicted in separate cases involving 14-year-old victims.
In 2004, he received a probation sentence for a third-degree rape conviction, and in 2005 he was sentenced to five years in prison following a second-degree rape conviction.
Authorities charged DeSantis with 10 felonies and three misdemeanors, including attempted first-degree rape, luring a child to commit a felony, first-degree sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, first-degree stalking, disseminating indecent material to a minor, coercion, obscenity, and acting in a manner injurious to a child.
Court records show DeSantis pleaded not guilty to several of the charges, according to CNY Central.
The sheriff’s office said detectives believe there may be additional victims because of the nature of the alleged online communications and DeSantis’ previous criminal history.
Authorities are asking anyone with information, or anyone who believes they or someone they know may have had similar contact with DeSantis, to contact investigators.
Officials said all calls will remain confidential as the investigation continues.
At the time of his arrest, DeSantis worked as a traffic maintenance crew leader for the City of Syracuse’s Department of Public Works, according to city payroll records.
Mayor Sharon Owens announced that he was terminated immediately following his arrest.
“These allegations are horrific,” Owens said. “Our thoughts are with the victim and her family as they endure an unimaginable ordeal.”
Owens said the city would conduct a review of its hiring policies, including expanding criminal background checks for city employees.
She noted that before this case, background checks were generally required only for employees hired in the police department, parks department, and certain building trades positions.
The case has raised questions about the city’s hiring process after DeSantis was hired in 2016 despite his status as a Level 3 registered sex offender.
City officials have not publicly detailed what information was considered during the hiring process or how his employment was approved.
Some reports noted that Syracuse’s hiring process was influenced by the city’s “Ban the Box” ordinance, which delays questions about criminal history until later in the hiring process.
According to Townhall, the policy does not prevent employers from conducting background checks, but it changes when criminal history information is reviewed.
Mayor Owens said the city’s review will examine existing hiring procedures, including whether additional background checks or safeguards are needed for future employees.
Investigators continue to seek information from anyone who may have knowledge of possible additional incidents involving DeSantis and urged anyone with relevant information to contact detectives at 315-435-3081.
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