Edgard Enrique Le Sentenced In U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on May 23, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, EDGARD ENRIQUE LE, a 29-year-old resident of Escondido, California, was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 10 years

Special Assessment: $100

Forfeiture: cell phone

Supervised Release: 5 years

LE was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

The victim was born in 1999. In February 2012, the victim resided in Flathead County. At that time, LE resided in California. LE engaged in an online romantic relationship with the 12-year-old victim. Electronic records show conversations about the victim and LE being in love, that they were "engaged" and that they were going to get married. LE used his cell phone to communicate with the victim.

In early February 2012, LE drove from California to the victim's residence in Flathead County. On February 13 and 14, 2012, LE transported the victim in an automobile out of the State of Montana. The intended destination was LE's residence in California. Prior to reaching his residence, the vehicle they were riding in was stopped by law enforcement southwest of the Nevada/California border in California. During an interview with law enforcement, LE stated that his intent was to take the victim to California with him to live. Once in California, LE intended to have a physical and romantic relationship with the victim that included sex acts.

When an individual commits a crime involving a child in Montana, law enforcement will use all available resources to apprehend and prosecute that person to the fullest extent of the law. As a result of the sentence imposed today and the incarceration of Mr. Lee, he will be prohibited from committing further crimes against children for many years. This sentence will also deter others from similar conduct. Due to the diligent investigation and rapid response of the law enforcement agents and officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Las Vegas Metro Fugitive Unit, and the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, this young girl was extricated from a very dangerous situation." U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that LE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, LE does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Las Vegas Metro Fugitive Unit, and the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.