35-year-old allegedly rapes 13-year-old he met on social media

FULTON, N.Y. – A man from Oswego County is behind bars after police say he raped a teenager from Monroe County. News10NBC has details on the frightening case.

The suspect is 35-year-old Bernard Hammond III. He lives in the Oswego County City of Fulton, which is about two hours from Rochester. The victim in this case, is 13-years-old.

Fulton Police tell us Hammond met the victim on social media, and then he traveled to Irondequoit on Monday to pick her up outside of her school. Investigators then say Hammond drove the young teen back to his home in Fulton, where he was arrested days later.

He’s currently facing charges of rape, criminal sexual acts, and endangering the welfare of a child. News10NBC talked to parents in Irondequoit, not related to the victim, who both say the whole situation terrifies them.

“I know there’s a lot of predators out there these days, so I would say check your kid’s messages, social media messages. You know things of that nature,” said Latoya Dorsey. She continued, “You just got to monitor what your kids are doing on their phones. See where they’re going. Make sure you know who their friends are.”

Linsay Zorrilla added, “Limit the cell phones. Limit the electronic use, internet use with small children. Always on top of it.”

Hammon is currently being held at the Oswego County Jail while waiting to be arraigned.