10-21-04 -- Clark, Jeffrey S. -- Indictment -- News Release

Pennsylvania Man Accused of Traveling to New Jersey to Have Sex with a 13-year-old Girl

TRENTON - A Phoenixville man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for traveling from Pennsylvania to New Jersey for the purpose of having sex with an individual he believed was a thirteen year-old girl he met through an Internet site advertised to be "The World's Largest Sex and Swinger Personal Site," U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

The Indictment charges Jeffrey S. Clark, 36, with one count of knowingly and wilfully traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act with a person under the age of eighteen years.

The criminal complaint alleges that on April 28, 2003, an undercover (UC) Special Agent of the FBI, posing as a girl from central New Jersey named "Susan," posted a biographical profile on a web site called "AdultFriendfinder.com." According to the complaint, Clark responded to the profile the next day and stated that they should talk and see what happens. Clarke also attached his AdultFriendfinder.com biographical profile in which he described himself as a male, 6'2" tall, 220 lbs., and having brown hair and green eyes. "Susan" replied and stated that she was "14 years old and curious. Is that okay?"

According to the complaint, Clark and UC then exchanged email throughout the month of May through the AdultFriendfinder.com web site, Clark's yahoo email address and instant messaging. The complaint states that in various email Clark discussed possibly meeting and described various sex acts to the person he believed to be a fourteen year-old girl.

During a chat session on May 21, the UC wrote Clark that her birthday was upcoming, according to the Indictment. Clark then learned from "Susan" that she was actually thirteen years of age and that she was going to be turning 14-years old.

According to the complaint, on May 27, 2003, Clark stated in an email that he would pick her up in Trenton and that he would be driving a Silver Saab. Later that day, in an instant messaging session, according to the Indictment, the UC stated again to Clark that she had never engaged in intercourse before, that she was nervous, and that she hoped he would "go easy on me." It is alleged that in his reply, Clark promised that he would, and then stated, "I will keep things pretty straight forward too and we will take it very slow, just kissing, touching, oral sex and sex." During the chat session, a meeting date of June 6, 2003, was confirmed by both Clark and the UC, and a time of 8:30 a.m. was established, according to the complaint.

At 8:35 a.m. on June 6, agents observed a male matching Clark's description arrive at the location in Trenton in a silver Saab, according to the complaint. The individual parked the car, got out, and walked over to a bench and sat down. According to the Indictment, he was approached by FBI agents and identified himself as Jeff Clark.

An Indictment is a formal charge made by a grand jury, a body of 16 to 23 citizens. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and neither persons under investigation nor their attorneys have the right to be present. A grand jury may vote an Indictment if 12 or more jurors find probable cause to believe that the defendant has committed the crime or crimes charged.

Clark's arraignment on the Indictment has not yet been scheduled.

Despite Indictment, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI Somerset Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joseph Billy, Jr., for investigation of the case.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee D. Rudy of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

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Defense Attorney: Rocco Cipparone, Jr., Esq. Haddon Heights