FLORIDA MAN CHARGED IN CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 23, 2008, a Criminal Complaint was filed charging HERIBERTO TORRESRODRIGUEZ, age 49, of Opa-Loka, Florida, with Traveling in Interstate Commerce for the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct (Count 1); and Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce with the Intent of Engaging in Sexual Activity with that Minor (Count 2). Count 1 carries a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment. Count 2 carries a maximum penalty of not less than ten years nor more than life imprisonment. Each count also carries a potential fine of $250,000.

TORRES-RODRIGUEZ was taken into custody in Florida on May 23, 2008. He is expected to be returned to the Southern District of Illinois for further proceedings on these charges.

According to rights guaranteed by the Constitution, a criminal defendant in the federal system is entitled to be charged by way of a grand jury indictment. All criminal defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Suzanne Garrison and Nicole Gorovsky for prosecution.