20 February 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jesus Torres, Special Agent in Charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Ken Mascara, Sheriff, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that defendant, William David Kamal, a former television meteorologist, was sentenced to a term of five (5) years’ imprisonment, by United States District Court Judge K. Michael Moore, in Miami, Florida. On December 10, 2004, Kamal pleaded guilty to a one (1) count Indictment, charging him with using a facility and means of interstate commerce, that is, America OnLine, an internet service provider, to attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in a sexual activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b).
This case stemmed from an investigation in which an undercover law enforcement officer, posing as a 14-year-old gay child, met Kamal in an internet chat room. After several sexually explicit internet communications, Kamal agreed to meet the alleged child in Ft. Pierce, Florida, so that he could engage in sexual activity with the alleged child. When Kamal arrived for the meeting, he was arrested and taken into custody.
Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and other members of the Law Enforcement Against Child Harm Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. Waters, Jr.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on . <.>
