Feds: German Man Traveled to NJ For Sex With Young Children

Federal authorities say a man from Germany is facing charges after he traveled to New Jersey to have sex with young children.

According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, 38-year-old Christian Stefan Walther of Erfurt, Germany, is facing one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Law enforcement authorities have been investigating Walther since January for child exploitation offenses.

Two undercover officers communicated with Walther via email, phone, and an encrypted messaging app concerning Walther’s desire for sexual encounters with young children. During the investigation Walther sent an undercover officer two videos, each of which depicted an adult male sexually assaulting a prepubescent female child. Walther also expressed his desire to engage in sexual conduct with children aged 8 to 12, and explained that he had lied to his friends in Germany about the purpose of his trip to the United States.

Sellinger says on Thursday, Walther traveled from Germany to New Jersey to meet the undercover officers in advance of what he believed would be a sexual encounter with one or more children at a hotel.

Get our free mobile app

The charge of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct carries up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.