NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Detective Brian McGregor

Email:     bmcgregor@kennerpd.com  

Office:    (504) 712-2252

Date:      June 3, 2009 

Kenner man arrested in online internet sting

Kenner - On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, William Powe, Jr., 55, who provided a home address of 4345 Arkansas Avenue, Kenner, was arrested after he arrived at a prearranged location to meet with what he thought was a juvenile, but in fact was an undercover Kenner Police Cyber Crimes detective.  The investigation began May 19, 2009, when a Kenner detective entered into an online chat room posing as a juvenile.  Powe utilizing the screen name, “bud4er2” contacted the juvenile and invited the juvenile to view his webcam.  Upon viewing the webcam; a detective observed Powe exposing himself and masturbating.  In other online chats, Powe asked to meet the juvenile for sexual purposes and was arrested after he arrived at the prearranged location.  

In addition to the above investigation it was also learned that Powe had been chatting with an undercover detective assigned to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit.  In Kenner; Powe was charged with the crimes of computer aided solicitation for sexual purpose and indecent behavior with a juvenile.  Powe remains in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.  His bond has not been set.  Once released from the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, Powe will be transported to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office who holds a warrant for Powe’s arrest for the crimes of computer aided solicitation for sexual purposes and indecent behavior with a juvenile. 

Powe was interviewed and admitted to exposing and masturbating on his webcam.  Powe’s computer was seized and will undergo a computer forensic exam.  

If convicted, Powe will be required to register as a sex offender and faces imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five (5) years or more than ten (10) years.  With multiple charges he could be sentenced longer. 

Chief Steve Caraway encourages anyone with information concerning this incident, or having information regarding anyone exploiting children, illegally possessing or selling child pornography or online enticement of children for sexual purposes to contact the Kenner Police Department at (504) 712-2222, Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children cyber tip hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.  

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