Rugh James Cline, a 40-year-old Tampa attorney, has been charged with the heinous crime of child sex abuse in Cambodia. According to a federal indictment, Cline paid to engage in sexual conduct with four minors on multiple occasions in February and May 2019 while on a trip to Cambodia.
The indictment, which was brought forth by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, alleges that Cline, a U.S. citizen and Florida-licensed attorney, knowingly possessed materials depicting the sexual abuse of young children when he traveled from Florida to Cambodia in 2019.
On June 7, 2023, Cline made his initial appearance in federal court in Tampa after being deported from Cambodia. He was subsequently released on a $100,000 signature bond with the condition that he be on GPS monitoring, home detention, and not have access to the internet or minors.
Under the federal charges, Cline faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, and up to 20 years for possessing child sex abuse materials. These charges were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Department of State and the Cambodian National Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance, and the case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.
Cline’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the welfare of children and the laws of the United States. His case serves as a stark reminder of the severity of child sex abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Related Federal Cases
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- James Joseph Weishaar, Child Sex Abuse Material, Florida 2023 · Florida
- James Joseph Weishaar, Child Sex Abuse Material Receipt, Florida 2023 · Alaska
- Sean Corey McKenzie, Child Sex Abuse Image Production, Florida 2024 · Florida
- Shane Christopher Abrams, Child Sex Abuse Chat, Florida 2024 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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