Meinrad Kopp, Child Sex Trafficking, Florida 2017
Orlando, Florida – Meinrad Kopp (55), a German citizen and resident of Switzerland, has been charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, traveling into the United States for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, and transportation of child pornography.
If convicted on all counts, Kopp faces a maximum term of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Kopp that the United States intends to forfeit an iPhone, a laptop computer, and a camera, which are alleged to have been used in furtherance of the offenses.
According to court documents, from on or about April 26, 2017, to on or about June 16, 2017, Kopp engaged in communications, via the deep/dark web, with an agent acting in an undercover capacity as the father of a 13-year-old child, about engaging the child in a range of sexual activities, including sadomasochistic conduct.
Kopp disclosed his intent to humiliate the child by treating her like a dog and causing her pain by using a certain instrument that he intended to bring with him. According to Kopp, he had previously given a hard beating to an 11-year-old child by using a leather belt.
Kopp traveled to Orlando, Florida, on June 16, 2017, and was arrested by agents working with Homeland Security Investigations. Inside his luggage, Kopp had weights, clamps, rope, tape, a bottle brush, and a flashlight that he intended to use with the minor.
During an interview with law enforcement, Kopp admitted that he had traveled to Orlando for the purpose of engaging a minor in sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Child Exploitation Task Force. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. government to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Kopp’s charges include:
- Attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity
- Traveling into the United States for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct
- Transportation of child pornography
Kopp is currently being held without bail.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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