New York Trucker Sentenced for Kidnapping 8-Year-Old Girl in Nebraska

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nebraska
April 14, 2011

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg, the Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the FBI announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event triggering this release:

Today, William J. Buckner, age 47, of Shortsville, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Richard G. Kopf, to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 240 months.

Following his release from prison, Buckner will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life, and be required to register as a sex offender. As part of his sentence, Buckner is also required to pay $4,611.00 in restitution to the child victim and her family.

Buckner, an over-the-road truck driver, was arrested on June 24, 2010, after kidnapping an 8-year-old girl at the Bosselman’s Truck Stop in Big Springs, Nebraska. Buckner contacted the girl at the interstate truck plaza, took the 8-year-old girl to his truck, and drove her, via interstate highway, to another truck stop in Julesburg, Colorado, where he told her to remove her clothes. He then fondled her in the breast and vaginal areas. The girl began to cry and Buckner returned her to the Big Springs Truck Stop, where he was arrested, and where the girl was reunited with her family.

Name of Defendant: William J. Buckner
Age: 47
City of residence: Shortsville, New York
Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty: Kidnapping, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C.§1201(a)(1) and (g). Statutory penalties include 20 years to life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, five years to life of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.
Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Big Springs, Nebraska
Location of Arrest: Big Springs, Nebraska
Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: N/A
Others Charged in Same Scheme: N/A

Relevant Dates:
Date of Alleged Crime: June 24, 2010
Federal Arrest Date: July 20, 2010
Date Complaint Issued: N/A
Indictment Returned Date: July 20, 2010
Initial Appearance Date: August 17, 2010
Plea or Trial and Date(s): Pled guilty on January 19, 2011
Sentencing Date: April 14, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.
Next Court Hearing Type and Date: N/A

Assigned Magistrate Judge: Cheryl R. Zwart
Held without Bond, or Released from Custody:
In Continuous Custody Since: June 24, 2010
Assigned District Court Judge: Richard G. Kopf
Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of this Release: WWM