Peter Bardunias, a 59-year-old resident of Clifton Park, New York, has been charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity, according to an announcement by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli. Bardunias serves as Senior Vice President of Community Advancement for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce.
The criminal complaint alleges that over a two-week period, Bardunias exchanged messages with an individual he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, discussing plans for violent and sadistic sexual acts. In reality, the individual was an undercover law enforcement officer.
According to the complaint, Bardunias described his intentions to “strangle[]” and “tortur[e]” the purported child while raping them. On October 6, 2025, Bardunias traveled to Warren County, New York, to meet the supposed minor and brought candy to make them feel more comfortable. He was taken into custody shortly after arriving at the meeting location. A federal search warrant executed at his home reportedly revealed a box containing sex toys, restraints, and a knife, which matched items he had described as part of a “torture chamber” for the intended victim.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Parents need to be hyper-aware of conversations their children are having via text or online — predators often lurk behind screens. This man’s alleged crimes are shocking, and our prosecutors will ensure he faces severe consequences for his evil conduct towards an innocent child.”
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented, “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. 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 said, “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.”
If convicted, Bardunias faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, along with a possible fine of up to $250,000 and supervised release ranging from five years to life. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on relevant statutes and guidelines.
Bardunias appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista in Albany and remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025.
Authorities emphasize that charges are accusations and Bardunias is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force led the investigation, with participation from agencies including the Colonie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Hartunian is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative targeting child exploitation and abuse coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
