US: Man pleads guilty to trying to buy a child

Robert W. Thomas, 37, is scheduled to be sentenced July 24.

“The conduct laid out in the indictment should sound an alarm for all parents,” Dettelbach said. “We will remain vigilant in protecting our children from predators.”

“Mr. Thomas’ behavior and his stated desires for wanting to buy a child are frightening,” Anthony said. “Law enforcement will continue to proactively and aggressively pursue predators that intend to harm our children, and this is yet another reminder for parents to be aware of their child’s Internet activities.”

From on or about January 6, 2014 through on or about January 11, 2014, Thomas offered to purchase or otherwise obtain custody or control of a minor, that is, a 10-year-old girl, with the intent to promote the engaging in of sexually explicit conduct by such minor for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; and such offer was communicated and transported using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce and in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce by any means including by computer, according to court documents.

The indictment also charges that from on or about January 6, 2014 through on or about January 11, 2014, Thomas knowingly used a computer connected to the Internet and a cell phone to attempt to induce a 10-year-old girl to engage in illegal sexual activity with him.

From on or about January 1, 2012 through on or about January 11, 2014, Thomas knowingly received and distributed in interstate and foreign commerce, by computer, numerous computer files, which files contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan. The case was investigated by the Canton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Alliance Police Department.