Eric Larsen, Attempted Sexual Exploitation, Alaska 2019

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - In a shocking case, Eric Larsen, a 51-year-old man from Anchorage, has been found guilty of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, coercion, and enticement.

According to evidence presented at trial, Detectives from the Anchorage Police Department's Crimes against Children Unit received a report that Larsen solicited a 13-year-old girl for oral sex and had exposed himself to her.

The APD Detectives assumed the identity of the girl and continued to communicate with Larsen, who used text messages and phone calls to negotiate a time and place to meet with the girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse.

On February 14, 2019, Larsen arrived at a prearranged location, but instead of meeting the girl, he was met by APD officers and arrested.

At the time of his arrest, Larsen was found to be in possession of condoms, personal lubricant, a vibrator, methamphetamine, a glass pipe, and a loaded handgun.

Larsen faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a life term of supervised release.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Klugman, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006.

The Anchorage Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. 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.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-man-convicted-attempted-sexual-exploitation-minor