FBI indicts sexual predator
New York man indicted for using the Internet to
engage area minors in phone sex, according to U.S. District Attorney’s office.
Kevin Howell
Reporter
Steven Van Zile, Jr., 23, of Elmira, New York was indicted Wednesday for using
the Internet to engage minors in phone sex, according to information released
yesterday afternoon by the U.S. District Attorney during a press conference held
in Monticello.
The indictment, which involved minor victims from White and several surrounding
counties, was returned by a Federal Grand Jury after an investigation beginning
last October. The investigation was initiated when Reynolds Town Marshal Ben
Woodhouse received calls from a parent concerning harassment of their daughter.
Eventually, the case went up the line to the White County Sheriff’s Department,
the Indiana State Police and finally the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During
the course of the investigation law enforcement officers from those agencies as
well as from Pulaski County, Monticello and Carroll County became involved.
Three counts have been filed involving children under the age of 18 from the
Francesville, Delphi and Monticello areas who were allegedly victimized by Zile.
In making the announcement, District Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen said although
the Internet is a valuable tool, there is a “dark underbelly” that involves
criminal activity.
“The Federal Grand Jury in Hammond, Indiana returned a three count indictment
charging Steven Van Zile Jr. with a violation of 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) making it
illegal to knowingly use a facility of interstate commerce, in this case the
telephone, to persuade, induce, entice and coerce, or attempt to do so,
individuals who had not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in sexual
activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense,” explained
Van Bokkelen.
Van Zile allegedly contacted minors through Internet conversations in a Yahoo
chat room. He was able then to take user names and passwords using ‘Spyware’
type software, and threatened to lock his victims out of an instant messaging
service unless they agreed to engage in phone sex with him.
The victims were coerced into giving out their phone numbers after which Van
Zile allegedly made contact.
He was arrested in Elmira May 19, and through computer forensics, agents were
able to determine from Van Zile’s computer how he was able to acquire the names
and passwords.
He is currently in transit from Rochester, New York to the Northern Indiana
District, and will be arraigned in Federal Court in Hammond.
Although there is an indication the activity was much more widespread, and
involved a larger number of minor victims, the three counts are enough to bring
Van Zile before a judge while investigations continue.
Van Bokkelen noted that the case points out the danger of unmonitored use of
chat rooms.
“If a complete stranger came to your front door and said they wanted to engage
in sexual acts with your minor daughter, you would throw them out of the house
and call the police,” Van Bokkelen said.
“Through the Internet, complete strangers are coming into your home daily
without asking your permission. My message to parents is to monitor your child’s
Internet use, learn how they are using it and especially the chat rooms they
visit – and be prepared to say no.”
Several parents of minor victims attended the press conference, which was held
in White County out of respect for the victim families.
One mother and father from the Reynolds area, who remain anonymous to protect
the identity of their minor daughter, said they knew she had been thrown out of
the chat room, but had no idea of the circumstances.
“She just said, ‘don’t worry, it will be okay,’” said the mother.
“But around November or December we got a call from the FBI.”
They didn’t take it on faith that it was indeed the FBI and contacted the White
County Sheriff to verify the identity before giving any information. Once that
was clarified, they cooperated fully and learned more about what was happening.
“It’s very scary for parents (of young children); there are a lot of crazy
people out there,” they said.
Fortunately, the situation is being resolved, and the parents say their daughter
is doing OK now.
“She’s got a good head on her shoulders; she’s doing all right.”
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