U.S. Department of Justice Office of the United States Attorney Western District of Tennessee For Further Information Contact: Leighn Anne Jordon Phone: (901) 544-4231 October 12, 2006

Individual Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

Memphis, TN -David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced today that MATTHEW DODD NELSON, of Oxford, Mississippi, was arrested yesterday pursuant to a federal Complaint alleging violations of federal criminal law involving child exploitation.

Specifically, the Complaint charges that NELSON knowingly used a facility and means of interstate commerce, that is, a combined computer/telephone system, using interstate "instant messages" over an interstate telephone system, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a female who had not attained the age of 18 years of age, to engage in sexual intercourse, such sexual conduct then constituting a criminal offense under Tennessee law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b) and Section 2. Maximum punishment for a violation of this law is imprisonment for not less than 5 years nor more than 30 years, and a fine of $250,000.00.

NELSON is further charged with traveling in interstate commerce, from the State of Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b). Maximum punishment for a violation of this law is imprisonment for not more than 30 years, and a fine of $250,000.00.

The arrest resulted from investigation conducted by member agencies of the Memphis Crimes Against Children Task Force - specifically, the FBI, ICE, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, and Memphis Police Department.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan L. Newsom will be handling this case on behalf of the United States Attorney's Office.

Note: Charges brought against a person through a Criminal Complaint are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.