August 14, 2007

Retired Florida truck driver pleads guilty to "sex tourism"
Sex journals and logs of his child victims were discovered after he returned from overseas

DETROIT - A Florida man pleaded guilty to "sex tourism" charges late yesterday after traveling to various foreign countries to engage in sex with minors. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigated this case.

Karl Kaechele, 64, a St. Petersburg, Fla., resident, pleaded guilty to engaging in sex tourism. He admitted to traveling to several Asian countries to knowingly engage in sexual acts with victims ranging between 7 to15 years of age. U.S. laws against sex tourism were strengthened following the passage of the Protect Act in 2003.

ICE began this investigation after Kaechele arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Manila in April 2005. Kaechele stated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers that he had been out of the country for 90 days and had traveled to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.

An examination of Kaechele's possessions by CBP officers and ICE agents revealed nine packets of photographs, which included images of nude Asian females. Also discovered were five large notebook journals containing details of sexual encounters with females, many under the age of 15.

ICE special agents from Tampa, Fla., also executed a federal search warrant in May 2005 at Kaechele's residence looking for evidence of child pornography. They seized a variety of items, including: a computer, peripheral computer equipment and related media, photos and videos. Forensic analysis showed active membership in and a history of visiting numerous child pornographic websites.

"As this plea illustrates, Americans who travel abroad to sexually prey on children in other countries are not beyond the reach of U.S. law," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigation in Detroit. "ICE is committed to protecting those who cannot protect themselves. The victims of child sexual predators are at the top of that list." Moskowitz heads a two-state area that includes Michigan and Ohio.

This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 10,000 individuals, including 250 in Michigan.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. Investigators staff this hotline around the clock. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com

-- 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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