UAB STUDENT ON VISA CHARGED WITH
ATTEMPTED ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR FOR SEX

BIRMINGHAM, AL - PRAPANJ GANESHAN RADHAMONY, 22, of Birmingham,  has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Attempted Enticement of a Minor for Sex.

The indictment is announced today by United States Attorney Alice H. Martin and Charles E. Regan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

RADHAMONY, was charged in a One-count indictment filed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham. He is a citizen of India and is in the United States on a student visa.  RADHAMONY is currently enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The indictment charges that from December 31, 2007, until July 24, 2008, RADMAHONY attempted to entice a person under the age of 18, via the internet, for illegal sexual activity.

The minimum sentence for attempted enticement of a minor is ten years and the maximum sentence is life in prison. The maximum fine is $250,000. The maximum term of supervised release following imprisonment is life.  If found guilty, the defendant will be required to register as a sex offender.

“Child predators lurk in chat rooms and have a false sense of anonymity,” stated United States Attorney Alice H. Martin.  “But the commitment between federal, state and local agencies, including those at Perverted Justice, is flushing these predators out.  I encourage parents to log on with their children and learn more at www.idthecreep.com    This program is available in English and Spanish, and is an interactive, educational game format designed to help children ‘Id the Creep’ in email, chat rooms or instant messaging.”          

“Unfortunately, the same advances in computer and telecommunication technology that allow our children to reach out to new sources of knowledge and cultural experiences are also leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and harm by computer-sex offenders,” stated Charles E. Regan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation. “I encourage parents to learn more about ways to protect children from online predators by visiting the FBI’s website at: http://www.fbi.gov/innocent.htm.”

Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department worked together in the investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Laura D. Hodge is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that the 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.