Man charged by FBI in child exploitation case from Ottawa
Alexander Towns, 44, accused of traveling to Nashville to engage in sexual acts with a minor after communicating online.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
A Canadian man from Ottawa has been charged by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with child sexual abuse. Alexander Towns, 44, is accused of using an online messaging platform to communicate with minors and distribute child sexual abuse materials.
During an undercover FBI operation, two agents posed as minors. Towns made sexually explicit statements about his intentions with the 'minors' and distributed child sexual abuse materials to them, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.
Towns traveled from Ottawa to Nashville, Tennessee, with the stated intention of engaging in sexual acts with a minor. FBI agents arrested him upon his arrival in the city.
"We will aggressively prosecute anyone accused of travelling to sexually abuse a minor," United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner said. "This is one of the most disturbing crimes that crosses my desk."
If convicted, Towns faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a minimum of 10 years. FBI Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson urged potential offenders: "To child predators who think you are anonymously preying upon vulnerable, innocent children through online applications, know that there's a good chance the FBI is on the other end."