COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Charles Henry Ross, age 28, of San Diego, California has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to the travel in interstate commerce with the intent to have illicit sexual contact with a minor, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b). United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendant, Charles Henry Ross, traveled from California to South Carolina to carry on a sexual relationship with a 15 year old. Mr. Nettles stated the case showed the cooperation between the United States Attorney’s Office, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office in the identification and prosecution of dangerous criminals.

The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case in conjunction with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney James (Jim) Hunter May of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.