FBI Arrests Ohio Fugitive Wanted on Child Pornography Charges
Keith Slotter, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI Office, announces the arrest of John Francis Kopkowski, age 42, of Clermont County, Ohio.
Kopkowski was arrested earlier today at approximately 3:00 p.m. by FBI agents in the vicinity of the 2500 block of A Street, San Diego.
Kopkowski was arrested pursuant to a federal arrest warrant charging him with violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1073, which makes it unlawful to travel interstate with the intent to avoid prosecution.
According to the complaint filed in this matter, Kopkowski fled the State of Ohio to avoid being prosecuted for the crimes of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor and Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity Oriented Material or Performance, both of which are violations of Ohio Revised Code, sections 2907.323 (A) (3) and 2901.21 (B). The state charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bethel Police Department, Bethel, Ohio, the Batavia Police Department, Batavia, Ohio, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification.
The Ohio investigation was initiated in December 2008, after a computer repair person discovered over 300 child pornography images on Kopkowski’s computer.
On December 14, 2008, Bethel Police Department and Batavia Police Department Officers executed a search warrant at Kopkowski’s Ohio residence. During this search warrant additional sexually explicit images of children and evidentiary items were seized.
On February 4, 2009, a Clermont County Grand Jury handed down a 50 count indictment against Kopkowski charging him with Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, and Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity Oriented Material or Performance, both of which are violations of Ohio state law. Following his arrest, Kopkowski was booked into the San Diego County Jail. The Department of Veteran’s Affair, Office of Inspector General assisted in the fugitive investigation.
An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
