Arizona Man Indicted for Traveling to California to Have Sex with Minor
Possible Victims Sought

An Arizona man was federally indicted for traveling from Arizona to California to have sex with a minor victim, announced André Birotte Jr., the United States Attorney in Los Angeles; Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office; Michael E. Abel, Interim Chief of the Corona Police Department; and Eric V. Hopley, Chief of the Ontario Police Department.

A federal grand jury in Riverside, California, returned an indictment Wednesday charging Michael Killala, 42, of Peoria, Arizona, with traveling interstate for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 2423(b).

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday, January 23rd, Killala traveled to California on two occasions to meet the victim, with whom he had been corresponding online. The complaint alleges that Killala traveled to California in December, and then in January, to engage in sex with the victim.

On January 22nd, the victim’s mother contacted the Ontario Police Department to report that her son had been in contact with Killala, and that Killala had traveled from Arizona to Riverside County on January 21, 2012. The complaint alleges that Killala drove the victim to a hotel for the purpose of engaging in sex, and further, that Killala purchased vodka for the victim, causing the victim to become intoxicated, according to the complaint.

Further investigation by detectives with Ontario Police Department and the Corona Police Department determined that Killala had been in contact with the victim for several months after they met over an Internet chat program. During his post-arrest interview, Killala admitted that the victim was a minor, but that he had engaged in sexual conduct with the victim in December. He also admitted that he had given the victim alcohol and engaged in sexual conduct with the victim on January 21st.

Detectives contacted the FBI to join the investigation. On January 22, 2012, Killala was taken into custody at a hotel in Ontario, California and consented to a search of his hotel room and his vehicle. Killala had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Monday, January 23rd and was denied bail. On Monday, January 30, a search of Killala’s home was executed in Arizona.

Based on evidence obtained during further investigation, detectives and agents in Los Angeles and Arizona believe that Killala may have had access to other minors, and are distributing his photo to seek information as to whether additional victims exist. A recent booking photograph, and a dated photograph of Killala are being distributed. Anyone with information about this case, or the unreported victimization of minors, is urged to contact the FBI or local law enforcement. In California, the FBI may be contacted toll free at 888 226-8443. In Arizona, anyone with information is urged to contact the following number: (602) 534-3200.

Killala is scheduled to be arraigned on February 8, 2012 at 9:30a.m. in U.S. District Court in Riverside.

If convicted, Killala faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.

This investigation was conducted by detectives with the Corona and Ontario Police Departments, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Killala will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.