November 3, 2007

FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER RETURNED TO UNITED STATES CURRENTLY HELD IN IMPERIAL COUNTY JAIL

Late Friday night, FBI Agents from the San Diego Field Office and Imperial County Resident Agency traveled to Mexicali, Mexico to identify and take into custody Kelsey L. Peterson, age 25, Lexington, Nebraska.

Peterson was being sought pursuant to a federal arrest warrant issued out of the United States District Court, District of Nebraska, charging her with violation of Title 18, U.S.C. section 2423(a), which makes it a crime for any person to knowingly transport any individual who has not yet attained the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent that such individual engage in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.

FBI Agents accompanied officials from the Baja State Preventive Police and Mexican National Immigration Office in transporting Peterson to the Eastern California Border Station, where she was processed for entry into the United States by Officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs Border Protection (CBP).

After processing by CBP, FBI Agents transported Peterson to the Imperial County Jail, El Centro, California, where she is currently being held. Peterson was booked under the federal arrest warrant. Peterson is expected to have an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Monday, November 5, 2007, in El Centro, California.

Mexican authorities have entrusted the care of Fernando Rodriguez, age 13 to family members in Mexico.

Any questions concerning this news release may be directed to the San Diego FBI Office at telephone number (858) 565-1255, or the Omaha FBI Office at telephone number (402) 493-8688.