NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

MATT J. WHITWORTH

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOPLIN MAN CHARGED WITH ILLICIT SEX WITH A MINOR

WHILE TRAVELING OVERSEAS

            SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Matt J. Whitworth, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with engaging in illicit sex with a minor while traveling overseas.

            Colby L. Williams, 24, of Joplin, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Williams, who was arrested at his residence today, had his initial court appearance this morning and will be released on bond after he surrenders his passport to the court.

            Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Colby engaged in illicit sex with a 14-year-old girl while traveling with a mission group in Cyprus.

            According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s complaint, Colby was traveling with a missionary group, Team Expansion of Louisville, Ken., in Cyprus in 2007 when he engaged in various sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl. The missionary group immediately arranged for Williams to return to the United States.

            Whitworth cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html