FAYETTEVILLE, AR—Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that David S. Duffin, age 44, of Chicago, Illinois, was found guilty on one count of Knowingly Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce with Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity following a three day jury trial in Fayetteville. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided.

U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “This defendant used the Internet to target a child, abducted her, and sexually abused her while traveling through several states. This conduct is frightening, and today he has been held accountable. We thank the jury for their attention to this case, as well as the team of law enforcement and prosecutors for their work. Those who seek out and prey on children threaten the core of our communities. I am proud of the work we have done prosecuting defendants such as this, and we should continue to remain focused on this horrific criminal activity.”

According to evidence presented at the trial, on April 4, 2015, a 13-year-old female was reported missing from her home in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Police Department later developed evidence that the minor was with the defendant, David Duffin, who had driven her from her home in Chicago, to a motel in Bentonville, Arkansas. On April 9, 2015, the Benton County Sheriffs’ Department located Duffin and the minor in Benton County. After being interviewed at the Benton County Sherriff’s department, Duffin admitted to meeting the minor by pretending to be a teenage boy online, and then engaging in sexual intercourse with the minor both in Chicago and later after bringing her to Arkansas.

Duffin was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on June 3, 2015. Sentencing will be held at a later date. The maximum penalty is not less than 10 years’ imprisonment or for life, not more than $250,000.00 fine, or both. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chicago Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner and Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.