Registered Sex Offender Charged with Producing Child Pornography, Located in the Dominican Republic

FORT MYERS, FL—A 65-year-old Naples man and Ohio native was arrested Thursday, October 27, 2011, in the Dominican Republic and returned to the United States for his initial hearing today pertaining to production of child pornography charges.

William E. Bokerman, a former music teacher and registered sex offender, was charged in a one count federal criminal complaint on September 15, 2011. A concerned citizen contacted the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and advised images of child pornography were discovered when Bokerman’s belongings were being removed from a residence which he was not permitted to occupy. The evidence was turned over to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office upon discovery. Bokerman’s possessions contained Polaroid type photographs of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The investigation tracked Bokerman to the Dominican Republic where he was arrested on immigration charges and deported. The investigation revealed Bokerman has been a frequent traveler to the Dominican Republic over many years.

If convicted, Bokerman could face between 25 to 50 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and subsequent supervised released ranging from five years to life.

If anyone has any information about this matter they should contact the FBI Tampa Field Office at 1-866-838-1153 (toll free).

The case was investigated by the Fort Myers FBI office with the assistance of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations.

The charges in the complaint are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until