ATLANTA - Carl Skow, who attempted to purchase a fourteen year old girl from an undercover federal agent, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for enticing a child to engage in illegal sexual activity.
“It is shocking that this defendant would endeavor to buy a young girl, imported from another country, as his personal sex slave," said United States Attorney Yates. “Sex trafficking is a horrendous trade. Those who insist on preying on innocent people this way should expect jail in their future. We commend Homeland Security Investigations for its proactive work in identifying child predators and removing them from our community."
“The defendant’s attempt to purchase an underage girl from Guatemala makes plain the fact that human trafficking is indeed a form of modern day slavery," said Special Agent in Charge Brock D. Nicholson, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations operations in Georgia and the Carolinas. “Protecting children from these malicious predators is a top priority for my agency, and we will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify them and bring them to justice."
According to United States Attorney Yates, the criminal indictment, and information presented in court: In June 2011, an undercover federal agent responded to an ad posted by Skow on an online classifieds website in which Skow offered a younger girl money for sex. Between early June 2011 and July 6, 2011, Skow and the agent communicated several times through electronic mail, by telephone, and in person, regarding Skow’s interest in purchasing a minor female from Guatemala for sexual services. Skow agreed to pay the agent $2,500 for a year of her services and made a down payment of $1,250 for the minor. The agent and Skow agreed to meet at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on July 6, 2011, where Skow planned to pick up the minor female, and make the final $1,250 payment to the undercover agent. On that date at the agreed meeting location, Skow was arrested in possession of the final payment. Also on July 6, 2011, agents executed a search warrant on Skow’s home and found, among other items, a large collection of child pornography on his home computer. They additionally found posted on a wall a list of rules for the minor female to follow, including the rule that she have sex with Skow whenever he chose.
Skow, 37, of Norcross, Ga., was sentenced today by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to ten years in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Jill E. Steinberg is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
