ALBANY, N.Y. — A former CEO and president of the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce faces a possible life prison sentence for allegedly attempting to arrange what prosecutors called “shocking” violent sexual contact with an underage girl.
Peter Bardunias, 59, a longtime Mahopac resident who attended Lakeland schools before moving to New York’s Capital District, was arrested on Oct. 7 and charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity. According to prosecutors, Bardunias talked about engaging in violent sexual activity with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl but was actually an undercover law-enforcement officer.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, special agent in charge of the Albany field office of the FBI, made the announcement.
At the time of his arrest, Bardunias was senior vice president of community advancement for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and lived in Clifton Park, N.Y. Capital Region Chamber President Mark Eagan released a statement saying that they are aware Bardunias has been taken into custody. He has been placed on unpaid suspension pending an investigation. Eagan said his organization had no further comment at this time.
Messages to Bardunias seeking comment were not returned by the time of publication. According to LinkedIn, the Fordham graduate ran a local business called Creative Concepts and served as president of the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2011 before relocating to the Albany area.
The criminal complaint obtained by Mahopac News alleges that over the past two weeks, Bardunias sent messages to an individual he believed to be a 15-year-old girl during which he discussed subjecting the would-be minor to violent and sadistic sexual activity.
Investigators said they targeted a user on a social-media app – later allegedly discovered to be Bardunias – after, they say, he “had been communicating with other females, including suspected minors, about sexual activity, including involving violent conduct.”
Using a fake profile purporting to be a 19-year-old girl, investigators say they sent Bardunias a friend request. When he accepted, the undercover agent told Bardunias they were not 19, but actually a 15-year-old high-school student.
Investigators say Bardunias messaged the undercover: “I ... have been looking for a girl like you who would want to meet up in real life n do naughty stuff.”
As alleged in the complaint, Bardunias said he wanted to, among other things, “strangle” and “torture” the supposed teenaged girl while raping her. The complaint quotes Bardunias asking the girl if she hated herself and "maybe wish bad things would happen to you?"
“I want to see you scream and be in pain,” he allegedly messaged. “Maybe we can meet a few times and do sick stuff.”
Investigators said that on Oct. 6, Bardunias traveled to Warren County, N.Y., to meet the would-be minor and brought her candy to make her feel more comfortable. He had arranged to meet her across from the high school he believed she attended.
Bardunias was taken into custody shortly thereafter. The complaint states that he admitted to investigators that he had communicated with the “girl” online but had only driven to meet her to explain they could not have a relationship.
Tools of Torture
But investigators said they found physical evidence that Bardunias was equipped to carry out his plans.
According to the complaint, an FBI search warrant executed at Bardunias’ residence found a box of sex toys in his garage, including restraints, a ball gag and a knife consistent with the materials used for the “torture chamber,” investigators said.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Bardunias' arrest should serve as a warning to parents.
“Parents need to be hyper-aware of conversations their children are having via text or online — predators often lurk behind screens,” Bondi said in a statement. “This man’s alleged crimes are shocking, and our prosecutors will ensure he faces severe consequences for his evil conduct toward an innocent child.”
Sarcone said Bardunias attempted to engage in what he called “heinous, unspeakable and violent actions against a minor.”
“I am thankful that the FBI intervened to ensure that he was unable to follow through in any of this horrific activity with a real minor, and our community is safer tonight because Bardunias is behind bars,” Sarcone said.
FBI investigator Tremaroli called the allegations “truly horrific.”
“His intentions were beyond disturbing and have resulted in serious federal charges,” the agent said. “The FBI commends the brave individual who contacted us with information that immediately launched this investigation and put an end to these disturbingly sinister plans. We will continue to use every resource available to find and hold accountable any predator looking to victimize our most vulnerable, and we encourage anyone with additional information on Mr. Bardunias to contact our office.”
The charge filed against Bardunias carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of between five years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, U.S. sentencing guidelines and other factors.
Bardunias had an initial appearance Tuesday (Oct. 7) in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista and was held in custody pending a detention hearing set for Friday, Oct. 10.
The case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Hartunian is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
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