Convicted sex offender from east Texas indicted for transporting minors across state lines for prostitution

TYLER, Texas – A 31-year-old convicted sex offender from east Texas was indicted Wednesday on child exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bale, Eastern District of Texas.

Anthony Nelson, aka "Flip," from Tyler, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury Mar. 26 and charged with transporting minors, and penalties for registered sex offenders.

According to the indictment, in November and December 2013, Nelson, a previously convicted sex offender, transported individuals, including two minors, across state lines with the intent that they engage in prostitution.

If convicted of all counts, Nelson will receive life in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the following agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Louisiana State Police; the Bossier Parish (La.) Sheriff's Office; the Shreveport Police Department; the Longview Police Department; the Gregg County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office; the Smith County (Texas) Sheriff's Office; the Tyler Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the Smith County District Attorney's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, Eastern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.

It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including producing and distributing online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

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. 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.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.