Philip Schuler, a former adjunct professor at Suffolk County Community College, was arraigned on April 10 in federal court in Central Islip on charges including attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and child pornography offenses. Schuler was arrested in January after an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks ordered that Schuler be detained pending trial.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice to address child sexual exploitation using federal, state, and local resources.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., for the Eastern District of New York said, “As alleged, the defendant spent months communicating with an FBI undercover agent who purported to be a 13-year-old female child, during which the defendant repeatedly expressed his interest and willingness to have a sexual relationship with her. Our Office will vigorously prosecute sexual predators who target children to ensure they are held accountable and protect vulnerable members of the community from these depraved individuals.”
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office said: “Philip Schuler allegedly sent explicit photos and messages to a supposed teenage girl before planning to sexually abuse her in person. This alleged attempt revealed the defendant’s disturbing desire to repeatedly groom and exploit a vulnerable child. The FBI continues to protect minors from online sexual predators looking to fulfill their twisted wants.”
According to court filings cited in the indictment, Schuler began communicating via Discord with an undercover FBI agent posing as a 13-year-old girl named “Chloe” beginning in October 2025 after receiving information from Decoy Project Inc., a nonprofit focused on identifying online predators. During these interactions—which occurred almost daily—Schuler allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with what he believed was a minor, sent explicit images via video call, arranged an in-person meeting at Edward W. Cahill Memorial Park where he was arrested by agents upon arrival, and had rented a motel room intended for use during this encounter.
A subsequent search uncovered approximately 400 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material on Schuler’s electronic devices.
If convicted on all counts detailed in E.D.N.Y Docket No. 26-CR-77 (SJB), Schuler faces between ten years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment under federal law.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts according to its official website. The office maintains locations both in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its official website, handling prosecutions for federal crimes as well as representing civil matters within its jurisdiction as reported by its official website. Breon Peace serves as United States Attorney for this district as noted by its official website. The district covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County according to its official website.
The government’s case is being managed by Special Assistant United States Attorney James P. Scahill through the Criminal Section of Long Island Division.
