United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2010 http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS FORT WORTH MAN FOR
ENTICING MINOR GIRL TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTS

Defendant Faces Up to Life in Prison, Without Parole

FORT WORTH, Texas — Following a one-day trial before U.S. District Judge John McBryde, late yesterday a federal jury convicted Robert M. Rhodes, 29, of Fort Worth, Texas, on an indictment charging one count of enticement of a child, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Rhodes faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Sentencing is set for July 9, 2010; Rhodes has been in custody since his arrest in January 2010.

The government presented evidence that in October 2009, an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department, working in an undercover capacity and posing as a 13-year-old female, entered a Yahoo! chat room and was contacted by Robert Rhodes, using the screen name of “rhodesrobert80.” During the course of several online chats during the next few days, the chats became sexual in nature with the defendant describing what sexual activities he would like to do with someone whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Further evidence presented by the government showed that on multiple occasions, Rhodes attempted to persuade, induce or entice the 13-year-old to engage in sexual activity with him. On October 5, 2009, Rhodes contacted the undercover officer to set up a meeting in Fort Worth. The meeting was set in a public location. Once Rhodes arrived at the scene, he was arrested.

Yesterday, when the defendant took the stand, he admitted during cross-examination that he believed he was going to meet a 13-year-old girl and that he was “sad” when she did not show up for their meeting.

Additional evidence was presented that during the prior month, in September 2009, Rhodes participated in an online conversation with someone who stated they were 15-years-old. After Rhodes contacted the 15-year-old, he asked her location, if she had any pictures and if she could physically describe herself — all after he learned she was a minor. After the 15-year-old described herself, Rhodes asked her if she was looking for a boyfriend.

 This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

The case is being investigated by the Fort Worth Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex C. Lewis is in charge of the prosecution.

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