Ann Arbor, Michigan Man Arrested on Federal Charges for Interstate Travel to Engage in Sexual Activities with Minors

Keith L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), of the Cincinnati Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Andrew G. Arena, SAC, of the Detroit Division of the FBI; Randy Person, Chief of Police, Xenia, Ohio Police Department; and Gregory G. Lockhart, United States Attorney, Southern District of Ohio, announce that David Jeremy Zobel, age 32, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was arrested without incident today by FBI agents and Ann Arbor Police Officers at Ann Arbor. Zobel has been charged in a federal complaint filed at the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Dayton, with one count of violating Title 18, U.S. Code Section 2423(b) (Interstate Travel With Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct).  The maximum penalty upon conviction of this offense is 30 years imprisonment.

The complaint charging Zobel alleges that on June 2, 2009 he picked up two minor females, ages 12 and 13, at Xenia, Ohio and transported them to Toledo, Ohio where he engaged in sexual activity with both of them. The complaint alleges that Xenia Police Officers were able to use a MySpace account address which Zobel had used to communicate with the females, along with the records of text messages Zobel had sent to one of the minors, to identify him. The complaint further alleges that the results of a search warrant, executed by FBI agents at Zobel’s home, 211 N. Main St., Apartment 2, Ann Arbor, on June 9 revealed sexually explicit photographs of both of the minor females contained on a camera.

Zobel will receive an Initial Appearance before a U.S. Magistrate in Michigan. That Magistrate will determine whether bond is granted and whether Zobel will be extradited to Ohio.

SAC Bennett, SAC Arena and Chief Person thanked the Toledo Police Departments for its work on this investigation. They also thanked the Ann Arbor Police Department for its assistance in today’s arrest.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints contain only allegations of criminal misconduct and that a defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.