complicated situation here, any legal eagles around to help please?

[lovechoc]

13 years ago I met a guy online (American), we met up but no sexual intercourse took place. He was 32 years old (which has turned out to be true). At the time being a 16 year old, I did not see that he was 'grooming' me after a long chat in the afternoon via a chatroom. It has only just materialised after searching for him via google (first time since I met him all those years ago) that he's been convicted for importuning under age girls (in most states there I think the age varies between 18 and 21, please correct me if I'm wrong). He is currently serving a 37 year prison sentence...At the time, I was 16 and in the UK this is the legal age for consensual sex so I didn't think anything more of it until reading all this information about his court case. Am really stunned by what I've read, to be honest.

So, getting to the point, is there any way I can contact the local authorities on the information I have of meeting him? What department would I speak to? I honestly don't know where to start..

Most of the girls he met were local to him back in the States, but there was no mention of foreign encounters from the court transcript (surprised it was available to read online).

Thanks to anyone who can help me.

[belledechocchipcookie]

I think it depends on whether the info you have is relevant. Are you trying to say that there may be other people that he could have met? I'd imagine that you need to contact the District Attorneys office of the state where he was prosecuted. I'm sure you can find the details if you google search. Ages of consent do vary greatly between different countries though, which is something to think about.

[lovechoc]

Yes, in the transcript it says he has met up with between 10-15 girls, all aged between 16-30 years of age all after chatting to them via chatrooms too. His first conviction was in 2004. He denies any wrongdoing and appealed his case twice.

Thanks for the advice, will have a look for an address online to contact the DA that was involved in his case.

[belledechocchipcookie]

The DA is the US version of the CPS so they will know the case and the details of the lawyer defending him.

Best of luck.

[CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables]

Not sure what use your experience would be to the US authorities as you were over the age of consent in the country you met him in (I assume you met him in the UK?) and, anyway, you did not even have sex with him.

Did he sexually assault you in any way or try to force himself on you against your will? Such acts are criminal no matter what age you were any what country you were in at the time.

If not, can't see how your experience is relevant, though it must be creepy knowing that you nearly had a relationship with this awful pervert.

Though as belle says, you may be able to offer leads on how he may have met up with other girls in the UK who were underage who they may be able to trace. may be worth talking to the US authorities with this information.

[lovechoc]

I can see what you mean CarrotAreNotTheOnlyVegetables, just as I've been asking myself the same question (would my encounter with him really be that valuable to the US authorities?). But...it seems that it's not the fact that he met up with these girls that has caused the upset, it's more the fact that he has pre-meditated each meeting with intentions to have sex with each one, basically 'grooming' online. He groomed me, but I didn't see it like that as a 16 year old, but I do now as adult with life experience! I had a romanticised image of him at that particular time in my life(!) but in hindsight it seems absolutely ridiculous, the whole encounter.

Not something I've openly admitted, but although I did not have sex with him, he did assault me whilst waiting on the bus to go home. I did not speak out at the time due to embarrassment of the situation.

I've typed out an email and found the names of the DA assistants involved in the case, and have saved it. Unsure of whether to send the email or not. Not sure if the fact he's in prison already is going to make the slightest bit of difference.

[CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables]

Yes, send the email as your information could be useful in finding further victims. He should be brought to account for all his wrongdoing, there may be other victims out there who need to get help with dealing with their experiences and could gain some comfort from knowing he is being held accountable for what he has done to them.

It is important that all his offences are brought to light so they can be taken into account if, for instance, he comes up to be considered for parole.

You have also been the victim of a crime, sexual assault is a serious offence. Don't feel embarassed, he had no right to do this to you. Please report this to the UK police and tell the US authorities about what he did to you.

Good luck, lovechoc, you are very brave.

[lovechoc]

Thank you, carrots. I've just sent the email minutes before reading your latest post. I am going to see a counsellor about what happened to me next week. I phoned up an organisation that deals with abuse last week and it took a lot of courage. I hope someone will respond to this email in the US. The fact that he's been convicted on two seperate occasions with girls, and a third time was with an undercover agent pretending to be a 14 year old girl. He was arrested at the airport.

My husband has listened to me, but he feels this is out of his depth now and that I need to speak to someone who knows how to help me deal with all these emotions I've locked away all this time. Only wish I'd spoken out sooner then perhaps he would not have hurt anyone else. Chatting online all these years ago did not bring about the same negative attention it does these days. It's ashame all these organisations to help young people had no existed back then, perhaps the outcome would have been so different.

[lovechoc]

After his sentence is served, he will be on lifetime supervision. Consolation of sorts, I suppose.