Two Indictments Charge International Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity with Minors

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert joins with Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan, and Kathleen Nicholls, Chief of the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation to announce indictments charging sexual exploitation of children, a global problem demanding a global response.

The indictments are part of an initiative known as Project Safe Childhood that seeks to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and achieve justice for the victims of such crimes.

“To vindicate victims of child exploitation and bring criminals to justice, our law enforcement and our communities must work together in partnership across county, state, and national borders,” U.S. Attorney Talbert said. “Our office is committed to protect our children and hold offenders accountable.”

“Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco/NorCal and FBI, in partnership with the California Dept of Consumer Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are seeking information on any individuals that may have been victimized by Mr. Reger,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “Of importance, HSI and Law Enforcement partners are focused on providing victim support and holding the alleged violator accountable for his actions in a court of law. We ask the community and media to help magnify this request so that victims, regardless of their current location around the world can be aware of the latest developments in this case.”

“Child predators prey upon the innocence and naivete of their victims, damaging trust and forever changing the course of their lives. The FBI Sacramento Field Office is determined to thoroughly investigate allegations like these to seek justice and connect identified victims with vital services that can help heal the trauma they have experienced,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, Lassen County District Attorney’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Trust and collaboration are essential to ensuring the safety and security of the communities we serve. We also thank the Church of the Nazarene and California Department of Consumer Affairs for their efforts to aid this investigation.”

“The California Department of Consumer Affairs is committed to protecting California consumers,” said Kathleen Nicholls, Chief of the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners who share the common goal of taking action against those who violate the law.”

Danish Man Alleged to Have Traveled from Denmark to Fresno to Exploit a Minor

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Claus Svelmo Marcuslund, 58, of Denmark, charging him with distribution of child pornography and attempted coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.

According to court documents, in January 2023, Marcuslund contacted an undercover agent who had created the profile of a mother with a seven-year-old daughter, on a dark web website dedicated to persons interested in pedophilia. Marcuslund told the agent that “I’m Scandinavian, professional music producer/songwriter and lyricist and yeah, I’m also a pedophile.” He also stated that “I’m divorced and now searching [for] a nice woman/mom to get to know better, hopefully with the potential of getting together in real life one day. Obviously, she must be 100% supportive of pedophilia and incest.” During the next several months Marcuslund sent messages to the agent through the website’s messaging feature, as well as the fully encrypted Telegram application, that explained in graphic detail the sexual acts in which he hoped to engage with the mother and child. As part of those communications, he sent images of adults sexually abusing young children. He also discussed having another child with the mother and molesting the newborn.

Marcuslund boarded a flight from Copenhagen to the Los Angeles International Airport and then boarded a flight to Fresno. On July 11, 2023, Marcuslund was arrested upon arrival at the Fresno International Airport and has been ordered detained as a risk of flight and danger to the community.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Central Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa is prosecuting the case.

Susanville Man Charged with Multiple Crimes Involving Sexual Abuse of Minors

A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Bradley Earl Reger, 67, of Susanville, charging him with: engaging in illicit sexual activity abroad, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and coercion and enticement.

According to court documents, Reger sexually abused more than a dozen patients between the ages of 12 and 22 under the guise of conducting purported medical examinations at his medical clinic in Susanville, and in hotel rooms and camp sites all over the world. Reger is a licensed Nurse Practitioner with the California Board of Registered Nursing and has been since at least 2003. Since at least 1986, Reger has been heavily involved in various Christian schools, summer camps, youth groups, and church missions. He has held positions as a teacher, camp counselor, church deacon, youth group leader, and owner of affiliated nonprofit organizations.

The indictment alleges that Reger sexually abused three different minor victims, in locations such as: Susanville, Nevada, Virginia, and Poland. These offenses allegedly took place between 2006 and 2014.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Department of Consumer Affairs with assistance from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina McCall and Roger Yang are prosecuting the case.

The FBI and HSI are seeking to identify potential victims of Bradley Reger. If you believe that you and/or your minor dependent(s) were victimized by Reger at any time, in the United States or abroad, or have information relevant to this investigation, please complete the online form available at: www.fbi.gov/RegerVictims. Additionally, if you know of someone else who may have been victimized by Bradley Reger, please encourage them to complete the form.

If convicted, Reger faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct abroad, up to life in prison and a fine of $250,000 for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for coercion and enticement. If convicted, Marcuslund faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

These cases are brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.