 |
Department of Justice United States Attorney David L. Huber Contact: Sandy Focken |
Return to the Press Release Index
July 11, 2008
LOUISVILLE MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO ENGAGE IN SEX
LOUISVILLE, KY - Robert J. Haile, age 25, of Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County, was arrested yesterday on a federal arrest warrant. Haile had been charged in a Criminal Complaint filed in United States District Court in Louisville with using the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce, or entice a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. He was also charged with attempting to use a facility or means of interstate commerce, that is, the Internet, to knowingly transfer obscene matter to another individual who had not attained the age of 16 years, U.S. Attorney David L. Huber announced today. Haile had “chatted” on the Internet with an undercover Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) Detective whom he believed was the “14-year-old girl.” United States Attorney David L. Huber praised the efforts of the LMPD CACU for their effective response to these very serious offenses. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jo E. Lawless and Joshua Judd.
The Affidavit
According to the Affidavit of a detective with LMPD’s CACU, filed in federal court, beginning on or about July 7, 2008, an individual using a screen name “yurmom,” began on-line communications with an individual representing herself to be a 14-year-old girl using “LouisvilleMoJo.com.” In fact, an LMPD CACU Detective was working in an undercover capacity posing as the 14-year-old girl on the Internet. During the first communication, the detective viewed the picture of “yurmom,” on the “LouisvilleMoJo.com” profile.
“Yurmom,” continued the on-line communications with the 14-year-old. After the initial meeting on “LouisvilleMoJo.com,” the two began communication through instant messaging on “Yahoo!” While communicating on “Yahoo!,” “Yurmom” used the screen name “Kfcrob.” During the communications, “Kfcrob,” described the type of car he drove and discussed meeting the 14-year-old to engage in oral sex. “Kfcrob” also sent the 14-year-old a digital picture of his naked, erect penis.
On July 8, 2008, “Kfcrob” contacted the 14-year-old on “Yahoo!” He discussed meeting at a local park in the Louisville suburb of Lyndon. “Kfcrob” asked the 14-year-old girl to meet him at the park for the specific purpose of engaging in oral sex. He told her that he would be driving a “charcoal color” Mustang and that he wanted to meet at 9:00 p.m. and if she wasn’t there by 9:10 p.m., he would leave.
Two LMPD CACU Detectives traveled to Robison Park in Lyndon on July 8, 2008. When they arrived at the park they saw a white male sitting in a charcoal Mustang smoking a cigarette. The detective who had been working undercover was able to see the man’s face and recognized him as the same person in the photograph on the “LouisvilleMoJo.com” profile for “yurmom.” The detectives arrested the man. They identified him as Robert J. Haile, age 25, a resident of Louisville, Kentucky.
They took Haile to the CACU office at 434 South Third Street, Louisville, Kentucky. Upon arriving at the CACU office, one of the detectives advised Haile of his constitutional rights. Haile signed a written waiver of his constitutional rights and agreed to answer the detective’s questions. During the videotaped interview, Haile admitted that he was the person who had engaged in online communications with the 14-year-old girl. He admitted that he had transmitted an image of his naked, erect penis to the girl. He reviewed the chat transcripts of the communications between himself and the detective and confirmed that they were accurate.
In the event of a conviction, Haile faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years. The maximum potential penalties include life imprisonment, a $500,000.00 fine, and supervised release for a period of at least 5 years and could include life.
Haile is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Michael G. Naville for an initial appearance hearing at X today in Louisville, Kentucky. The matter will be scheduled for a preliminary hearing and detention hearing at a later date.
* * *
A criminal Complaint is an accusation only and that person is
presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
#####
Return to the Press Release Index