GEORGIA MAN INDICTED FOR USING INTERNET TO ENTICE MINOR TO ENGAGE IN UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONDUCT

BIRMINGHAM, AL - RALPH WILSON KNIGHT was indicted by a federal grand jury for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.

According to the indictment, KNIGHT, 46, of Doraville, Georgia, FROM December 6, 2006 through January 19, 2007, communicated with a minor in Dekalb County over the telephone and internet to attempt to entice and coerce the minor to engage in unlawful sexual activities.

A criminal complaint was filed on January 19, 2007 and KNIGHT was arrested in Georgia that day. He is currently in federal custody without a bond.

“I encourage parents to continually monitor the online activity of their children and be vigilant for sexual predators who may be attempting to target their children through social networking web sites such as myspace.com,” states United States Attorney Alice H. Martin “Any suspicious activity involving a possible sexual predator should immediately be reported to the FBI or your local police department.”

The maximum penalty faced by KNIGHT is not less than ten years imprisonment or not more than life imprisonment. KNIGHT was arrested earlier this month and is currently in police custody.

“Mr. Knight is one of many pedophiles roaming the internet today,” states Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division. ‘The internet provides elements that criminals love: a cloak of anonymity, speed of communication and global access to potential victims.”

In February 2006, United States Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The investigation of this case was done by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Vince Carroll is prosecuting this matter on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.