Wisconsin Man Accused of Driving to New York to Rape 12-Year-Old Girl He Met Online
SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — A Wisconsin man is facing charges in two New York counties after police say he drove halfway across the country to abduct and rape a 12-year-old girl he met online.
Authorities identified the suspect as 26-year-old Brandon Szyszkiewicz, accused of using a chat application called Discord to lure the young victim from her home in Onondaga County. Investigators say the encounter turned from an online exchange into a serious criminal act.
Police: Man Drove From Milwaukee to Central New York
According to police reports, Szyszkiewicz drove from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Central New York, where he allegedly picked the girl up from her home in the Town of Onondaga on September 11.
Investigators say he then checked into the Lux Hotel & Conference Center on Route 414 in Seneca Falls, where he raped the victim multiple times before dawn on September 12.
The girl’s mother reported her missing that same morning when she discovered her daughter was gone. The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office began an immediate investigation, reviewing the victim’s electronic devices and identifying Szyszkiewicz as the suspect.
How Police Tracked the Suspect
Police in Milwaukee assisted by contacting Szyszkiewicz’s mother, who confirmed details that helped track him down.
Later that day, Seneca Falls police officers located Szyszkiewicz leaving the hotel with the girl. Authorities said the girl had not personally met the suspect before, except online, and was safely reunited with her family after being rescued.
Charges Filed in Two Counties
Szyszkiewicz was first jailed in Onondaga County on charges of:
- Custodial interference
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Luring a child
He was then transferred to Seneca County, where he now faces:
- Five counts of first-degree rape
- One count of endangering the welfare of a child
Following arraignment in Seneca County, Szyszkiewicz was returned to the Onondaga County Jail.
He currently faces bail of $25,000 on Onondaga charges and $250,000 on Seneca County charges.
A Disturbing Case of Online Predation
Law enforcement officials say the case highlights the dangers of online predators using chat platforms like Discord to exploit minors. Detectives emphasized the speed at which the crime unfolded — from online grooming to an out-of-state abduction within days.
“This case underscores how quickly online conversations can turn into real-world danger,” authorities said in a statement, urging parents to monitor their children’s online activity and remain vigilant about potential risks.
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