Acting US Attorney for Northern NY John Sarcone recently announced the arrest of Peter Bardunias, 59, who was arrested this month on federal charges related to attempting to entice a minor for sexual activity.
At the time of his arrest, Bardunias was the Senior Vice President of Community Advancement for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce in Albany.
But in 2010-2011, Bardunias was President of the Mahopac Chamber of Commerce. And the details of his arrest make us wonder if there are victims of his in Northern Westchester and Putnam County.
The allegations: According to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office over a two-week period, Bardunias sent messages to an individual he believed to be a 15 year-year-old girl during which he discussed subjecting the would-be minor to violent and sadistic sexual activity.
As alleged in the complaint, Bardunias told the individual—who was in fact an undercover law enforcement official—that he wanted to, among other things, “strangle” and “torture” the purported child while raping them.
The criminal complaint alleges that Bardunias traveled to Warren County, New York, on October 6, 2025, to meet the minor, bringing candy with him. He was taken into custody shortly after arriving.
A search of Bardunias’s residence reportedly uncovered sex toys, including restraints and a knife, which investigators say were consistent with the “torture chamber” he had allegedly described to the undercover officer. Bardunias told the would-be child he was going to prepare to rape and torture them within.
Bardunias was charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He is being held in custody.
“Parents need to be hyper-aware of conversations their children are having via text or online — predators often lurk behind screens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This man’s alleged crimes are shocking, and our prosecutors will ensure he faces severe consequences for his evil conduct towards an innocent child.”
“As alleged in the federal criminal complaint filed today, Peter Bardunias attempted to engage in what can only be described as heinous, unspeakable, and violent actions against a minor,” Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said. “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.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated, “As detailed in the criminal complaint, the allegations against Mr. Bardunias are truly horrific. His intentions were beyond disturbing and have resulted in serious federal charges. 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. Bardunias had an initial appearance in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This 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.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
If anyone in our area has information about Bardunias, they can contact the FBI at 914-989-6000- https://tips.fbi.gov/home
Or the US Atty- Reporting a Crime -(212) 637-0850
Or DA Cacace’s Westchester Sex Crimes Unit-(914) 995-3000
Or Putnam DA Robert Tendy -845-808-1050
