Mohammad Ebrahim Torki Harchegani, a 38-year-old former researcher at the University of South Carolina, has been charged with attempted enticement of a minor for sexual activity. During a bond hearing, an FBI special agent provided testimony about an online chat operation conducted on December 3-4, 2024. Multiple agencies participated in this operation targeting child sex offenders, where an officer posed as a 14-year-old girl.
Torki, who is a legal permanent resident of the United States and an Iranian citizen, engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the officer posing as the minor. He traveled to what he believed was the girl's residence intending to engage in sexual activities and was subsequently arrested.
Following his arrest, Torki's employment at the University of South Carolina was suspended and his contract was not renewed. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department were involved in the operation and investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle E. Klein and Winston Holliday are handling prosecution duties.
It should be noted that all charges are accusations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Torki has been ordered detained and faces up to life imprisonment if convicted.
