Little Rock Models Owner Indicted On Federal Enticement Charges

LITTLE ROCK – Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., of the New Orleans Field Office for Homeland Security Investigations, announced that Seth Christian Ganahl, age 42, of Maumelle, Arkansas, was indicted on multiple counts related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The U. S. Attorney’s Office announced today that it has set-up a phone number, 501-340-2647, if you have any information on Seth Ganahl, also known as Christian Canon, or regarding Little Rock Models in this on-going investigation.

The indictment, handed down by a Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Arkansas on February 4, 2015, charges Ganahl with two counts of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, one count of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempted production of child pornography, and two counts of production of child pornography. Ganahl made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on February 18, 2015. He entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered to remain detained. His trial is set for March 23, 2015 before United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.

Electronic devices seized in a search pursuant to federal search warrants revealed that Ganahl was using the name Christian Canon, and his business, Little Rock Models, to entice minors to send him photographs and videos of the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ganahl would then pay the minors for the photographs and videos. The evidence presented to the Grand Jury also included testimony from two minors that they went to Ganahl’s residence for the purpose of taking sexually explicit photographs. One minor, while at Ganahl’s residence, engaged in sexually explicit conduct with Ganahl, which he recorded.

The charges in the Indictment are based on an investigation that began in August 2014, when a minor disclosed to her mother and the Maumelle Police Department that Ganahl had previously asked her to engage in illicit sexual activity on multiple occasions. After the minor’s disclosure, a second minor disclosed that Ganahl had also asked her to engage in illicit sexual activity.

Ganahl was arrested by the Maumelle Police Department on August 27, 2014. He is currently charged in Pulaski County Circuit Court with 2 counts of sexual indecency with a child and 2 counts of sexual assault in the 2nd degree.

The investigation was conducted by the Little Rock Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, and the Maumelle Police Department.

Statutory Penalties

18 U.S.C. 2422(b): Enticement of a Minor and Attempted Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity carries a penalty of NLT 10 years to life imprisonment, NLT 5 years to Life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

18 USC 2423(a): Transportation of a Minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity carries a penalty of NLT 10 years to life imprisonment, NLT 5 years to Life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

18 USC 2251(a): Production and Attempted of Child Pornography carries a penalty of NLT 15 years to life imprisonment, NLT 5 years to Life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.