The case of a man accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex at an East Grand Forks motel has been transferred to federal court.
Darrin Roy Anderson, 35, has pleaded not guilty to a federal sex charge and is set for trial Dec. 7.
Anderson, of Middle River, Minn., was originally charged with sex offenses in Minnesota District Court in Polk County, but those charges have been dismissed.
It's now alleged that Anderson committed a federal crime when he crossed state lines while traveling from Walhalla, N.D., to East Grand Forks to take part in a "commercial sex act" with the girl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl said federal authorities have been aware of the case since the outset. "We knew about it almost immediately, but our investigation took some time," she said.
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Klemetsrud Puhl said the case is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood, an effort to combat child exploitation.
According to a Polk County criminal complaint, Anderson got the girl's phone number through Facebook, and the two met at the motel to have sex on Aug. 12, 2009.
Anderson, who is not in custody, has been ordered to have no contact with anyone under 18 years old.
If convicted in federal court, he would face a maximum prison term of 30 years.
Ingersoll reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com .
