By Hector Flores
According to Port Washington Commanding Officer Paul Gros, Gillott recently made contact with the teenager through a popular Internet Web site and exchanged e-mails. Because of an extensive online profile that the girl posted, Gillott was able to find out where she worked and went to her place of employment on Monday, Sept. 26.
Once outside her workplace, Gillott waited until the teenager went outside for a break, at around 4 p.m. He approached her and engaged her in a conversation. Gros explained that through intimidation, Gillott allegedly lured the girl into his car, a 1994 two-door black Mercury Cougar that was parked at a nearby vacant business parking lot, and allegedly had inappropriate and forcible sexual contact with her.
Gros said, "She spoke to him online, but never expected that he would show up at her place of work."
It's unclear whether the girl returned to her job after the alleged attack, but that night she told her parents about the incident, and they called police and filed a report.
Gillott was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 29, by Port Washington
Det. Robert DelMuro. He was arraigned on Friday, Sept. 30, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Gillott was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. He is currently a student at C.W. Post and works for a computer company in Hauppauge.
Port Washington Police are cautioning parents and teenagers about Internet dangers. They issued the following statement last week:
"It has become necessary for the police department to issue serious and strong warnings to both students and their parents regarding Internet use. The unrestricted use of instant messaging, chat rooms and personal profiles on popular sites for young people is an open door for anyone whose motives are dangerous and illegal.
"Students and parents must use caution and common sense with the Internet. Children are targets for criminals who use the Internet to prey upon their trust and innocence. Young children should be monitored at all times, and young adults must understand that not all information presented in profiles is true or safe. The very freedom of anonymity is what allows pedophiles and molesters to target, groom and potentially harm children.
"Meeting with unknown individuals through Internet communication is dangerous and should never occur without adult knowledge and/or participation.
"This recent arrest regarding the Internet abuse that occurred in Port Washington underscores the importance of this message and the seriousness of its consequences. The police department is sending this notice with the hope that it will lead to an open discussion with parents and their children about the boundaries of Internet behavior. It may be one of the most important conversations parents will ever have with their children.
"This notice is not being sent to cause unnecessary fear or alarm. It is being sent because this is a very real threat to the children of every community. It is becoming an all-too-common occurrence, but with open family communication and caution, it can be stopped."
Comments about this story? Hflores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
