Canadian youth soccer coach sentenced to 10 years for attempting to meet child for sex in US
Defendant sent sexually explicit photos and text messages to undercover HSI special agent
SEATTLE – A Canadian man was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison for traveling from Canada to Washington state to meet what he believed was a 12-year-old girl for sex, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Kuldip “Kelly” Singh Mahal, 47, of Surrey, British Columbia, was arrested by HSI special agents at a park in Burlington after crossing the border from Canada into the U.S. Instead of meeting the preteen girl he thought he had enticed into having sexual contact with him, he was met by an undercover HSI special agent who had received his numerous sexually explicit messages and photos.
According to court documents, Mahal responded to a January 2015 Internet posting by sending a photo of his arms and upper body, and expressing interest in a sexual relationship. Mahal continued to communicate with the HSI special agent, even after the investigator told him she was 12 years old. In fact, Mahal sent sexually explicit photos of himself along with multiple text messages requesting the “girl” send sexually explicit photos of herself back to him.
“Even with the knowledge that another man had been arrested in a similar Internet enticement case, this defendant persisted in seeking sex with a 12-year-old child,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “This case should send a clear message to those trolling the Internet to victimize children – you will be caught and pay with your freedom for such crimes.”
Mahal, who worked as a facilities manager for a Canadian tech firm and served as a volunteer coach of a U-16 soccer team, will be required to register as a sex offender.
“We entrust teachers and coaches to serve as role models for our children and safeguard their welfare,” said Bradford Bench, special agent in charge for HSI Seattle. “This sentence should serve as a stern warning to those who mistakenly believe cyberspace affords them anonymity and they can use the Internet to sexually exploit children with impunity. HSI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate these predators and ensure that they feel the full weight of the law.”
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
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