Man Indicted in Internet Sex Case

(Tucson, Ariz. – August 29, 2005)  Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced the indictment of New Jersey resident Steven Chou, 43, for soliciting a young boy to engage in a sexual encounter. Chou is scheduled to be arraigned on charges September 2 in Pima County Superior Court.

Chou was indicted by the Pima County Grand Jury on two counts of Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation.  Chou solicited a Tucson Police detective who was posing as a young boy on the Internet. Chou flew to Tucson, rented a motel room and attempted to meet the boy when he was arrested.  Chou was also in the process of setting up another meeting with a boy appearing to live in Salt Lake City, Utah. This boy was another undercover detective.

The investigation was conducted by members of the Southern Arizona SAFE team. Investigators executed search warrants in New Jersey for computer records and other information regarding additional victims.

Chou was arrested on August 26 and is held on $250,000 cash bond. If convicted of all charges, Chou faces 2 to 8.75 years in prison. Assistant Attorney General John Evans is prosecuting this case.