The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced on April 30 that Sadiq Rauf Perry, a 27-year-old naval serviceman from Virginia, has been charged by criminal complaint with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. If convicted, Perry faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in federal prison.
The case is significant due to concerns about online safety and the dangers posed by adults who use the internet to contact minors. Authorities said the swift action of law enforcement was key in recovering the missing girl and preventing further harm.
“This case is every parent’s worst nightmare, and our Office deeply appreciates our law enforcement partners’ quick action that led to the recovery of this minor girl. The case is also a reminder to every parent that we must not only be vigilant in our children’s use of the Internet but must also act quickly to report situations where a child may be taken in by one of these predators,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “The tragedy of these cases is that the criminal acts are not something we can take away or undo. That said, we look forward to prosecuting this matter to the fullest extent of the law to ensure accountability and deterrence for these heinous acts and remind our community of the importance of being vigilant as parents and neighbors.”
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office said, “The FBI worked closely with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office to find this teen and bring her home safely. It is critical for parents and children to understand the dangers of communicating with strangers online. In this case, the family acted quickly and that helped us prevent what could have been a tragic outcome.”
According to court documents, authorities were alerted after a mother reported her 14-year-old daughter missing when she discovered inappropriate communications between her daughter and someone claiming online to be 18 years old. After taking away her daughter’s phone as punishment, she realized her daughter had left home. Investigators found evidence showing Perry purchased both rideshare services for transport from Lafayette as well as an airline ticket for travel from Louisiana to Norfolk, Virginia using false information so that his victim could travel unaccompanied without suspicion.
Video surveillance confirmed that Perry picked up his victim at an airport in Virginia before they checked into a hotel together; later statements indicated they engaged in sexual intercourse there.
This investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI field offices from New Orleans and Norfolk, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and Virginia Beach Police Department.
A criminal complaint represents only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
