Traveled to New Mexico intending to have sex with 12-year-old girl

BOISE – Alexander Lynn Trowell, 19, of Nampa, Idaho, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Boise to the charge of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 12-year-old minor, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to court documents, Trowell met the female victim, then age 11, in the summer of 2010 while playing the online game World of Warcraft. Over the next few months Trowell communicated with her via phone calls, through texting, and using the internet game site's chat feature. Trowell's communications with the girl eventually became sexual in nature and they made plans to meet. In December 2010, shortly after the girl turned 12, Trowell drove from Nampa to New Mexico intending to meet her at a hotel in Albuquerque. The girl's mother alerted New Mexico police, who called Trowell en route. Trowell returned to Idaho without meeting the girl.

Trowell admitted that he continued to communicate with the girl, and they devised a plan for her to run away. He purchased a one-way ticket for the girl to fly from Albuquerque to Boise, and on April 20 the girl took a taxi to the airport and flew to Boise. Trowell met the girl at the Boise airport and drove her to his home in Nampa. The girl's mother notified Nampa Police who immediately conducted an investigation and arrested Trowell at his home the morning of April 21. The girl was returned to her parents in New Mexico. According to the plea agreement, the two engaged in sexual contact.

“I am proud of the work that Nampa Police patrol officers and detectives did on this case,” said Nampa Police Chief Bill Augsburger. “The work that was done as soon as we were notified of her possible whereabouts is a classic example of police work and investigative techniques. The heart of policing is protecting those who are preyed upon by criminals and this is why our officers choose this career.”

“The FBI considers crimes against children to be especially egregious,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson. “In this case, an innocent young girl was lured across state lines and victimized by an adult man. The FBI is pleased to hear about the latest development with today’s guilty plea. We are also grateful to the Nampa and Albuquerque Police Departments for their commitment to solving this crime. Through a collaborative effort, law enforcement was able to locate and return a missing child to her parents, and take a criminal off the streets.”

“Today's guilty plea shows that law enforcement agencies in Idaho are committed to working together to identify, investigate and prosecute those who would sexually exploit children,” said Olson. “When it comes to crimes that target society's most vulnerable members, we will not let boundaries or agency affiliation interfere with the work that must be done. I applaud the quick and effective response of the Nampa Police Department and their cooperative work with the FBI in resolving this sad and tragic case.”

The charge against Trowell is a felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, and between five years up to lifetime supervised release.

Sentencing is set for December 2, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, at the federal courthouse in Boise.

The case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department.