Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2010/01/15/online_sting_arrest/
Iraqi weapons inspector accused in online sex sting
Facing seven years
Posted in Security, 15th January 2010 13:09 GMT
A former head of UN weapons inspections in Iraq has been charged with child sex offences after being caught in an online sting.
Scott Ritter was a lone voice insisting Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the war, and remained highly critical of US policy subsequently.
He is accused of using the name Delmarm4fun during a sexually explicit instant messenger conversation with a 15-year-old girl called Emily. Emily was really a a Pennslyvanian police officer.
48-year-old Ritter is accused of exposing himself using a webcam. He also provided a mobile phone number which was later matched to his Nextel account.
He is accused of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal use of a communication facility, indecent exposure and criminal solicitation. The Smoking Gun has a copy of the affadavit.
Ritter was accused in a very similar sting operation in 2001, although charges were finally dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Ritter is free on $25,000 bail. The Pocono Record has more. ®