October 9, 2007

Anchorage man pleads guilty to federal obscenity charges
Defendant planned to meet 13-year-old girl for sex

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An Anchorage resident pleaded guilty today to charges of using the Internet to attempt to send obscene materials to a minor, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In May 2007, Michael Rabon, 25, visited a Yahoo chat room and used his computer and cell phone to exchange instant messages and text messages with a 13-year-old girl from Anchorage. During the on-line conversations, he used graphic sexual language and admitted he was 25 years old. He also e-mailed four obscene photographs of himself to the young girl.

Rabon made arrangements to meet the girl for sex at a local Anchorage park and provided detailed descriptions as to what would happen during this sexual encounter. He kept asking her if she had told anyone about their plans.

When Rabon showed up at the meeting place, he was arrested by ICE agents and local law enforcement officers.

"This case demonstrates ICE's resolve to search out predators who want to sexually exploit innocent children," said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations that oversees Alaska. "Predators who believe they can remain anonymous in cyberspace are sadly mistaken. Pursuing this type of criminal is one of ICE's most important responsibilities."

Rabon, who remains in custody, is scheduled to appear here in federal court December 19, 2007, for sentencing.

ICE was assisted in this investigation by the Alaska State Troopers and the Anchorage Police Department.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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