United States of America v. Joseph Samir Zakhari

Louisville, KY: Criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with attempting to entice a minor online.



Joseph Samir Zakhari, age 34, of Louisville, Kentucky, stemmed from the October 2019 joint federal, state, and local online undercover investigation – "Operation Gabbi Doolin.” During the course of this investigation, and while authorized by the Kentucky Attorney General to conduct undercover investigations on the internet, a detective posed as a 15-year-old girl on a social media app with the username "boredcrbgirl.” On October 6, 2019, a person with the username "jzakhari,” later identified as Joseph Samir Zakhari, contacted boredcrbgirl. Zakhari told boredcrbgirl that he was 32 and asked her age. Boredcrbgirl responded that she was 15. A conversation then developed that was made sexual by Zakhari, and, from October 6 until October 8, Zakhari requested details about boredcrbgirl's sexual history, repeatedly talked about sex acts he wanted to engage in with boredcrbgirl, and asked for sexual images of boredcrbgirl. Zakhari also sent sexually explicit images of himself to boredcrbgirl and requested to meet in person so that the two could engage in sex acts.



On October 8, 2019, Zakhari sent an Uber to pick up boredcrbgirl to bring her to his condominium, with the stated purpose of the trip being for the two to engage in sex acts. Undercover law enforcement officers followed a decoy law enforcement officer in the Uber to the destination specified by Zakhari. Upon arrival, the decoy sent a message at 5:16 p.m., "I'm outside,” to which Zakhari responded "coming down.” The decoy got out of the Uber and stood in front of the provided address. Shortly thereafter, Joseph Samir Zakhari, opened the door and invited her in. Law enforcement officials subsequently arrested Zakhari.



The jury found Zakhari guilty of attempted online enticement of a minor, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and attempted production of child pornography.



Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett made the announcement.



Sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Under federal law, Zakhari is facing a mandatory sentence of not less than fifteen years' imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.



Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless is prosecuting the case. The joint investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and Kentucky Attorney General's Office with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and Kentucky State Police.



18:2422(b): ATTEMPTED ONLINE ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR.

(1)

18:2422(b) - ATTEMPTED ONLINE ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR

(1s)

18:1470: ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF OBSCENE MATTER TO A MINOR.

(2)

18:1470 - ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF OBSCENE MATTER TO A MINOR

(2s)

18:2251(a) and 2251(e) - ATTEMPTED PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

(3s)

This matter came before the Court for a jury trial in Louisville, Kentucky on 9/20/2021 through 9/24/2021. Defendant Joseph Samir Zakhari is adjudicated guilty as to Count 1 of the Indictment. Defendant Joseph Samir Zakhari is adjudicated guilty as to Count 2 of the Indictment. Defendant Joseph Samir Zakhari is adjudicated guilty as to Count 3 of the Indictment. Sentencing set for 1/19/2022 at 10:00 AM in Louisville Courtroom before Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings. The motion to continue the sentencing date from 1/11/2022 (DE 160 ) is GRANTED. The Defendant is to be remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal as with a finding of guilty by jury detention is mandatory. (Court Reporter: April Dowell/Dena Legg) cc: Counsel, USP (SMJ) (Entered: 10/01/2021)