SAN DIEGO – Carsten Igor Rosenow was sentenced in federal
court today to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting children in the
Philippines.
Rosenow was found guilty by a federal jury on August 30,
2019, on charges of production of child pornography and possession of child
pornography. Rosenow, a former Chief Marketing Officer for tech company
Illumina, Inc., who lived in San Diego, came to the attention of law
enforcement when the FBI identified him as someone who regularly traveled
abroad, including to the Philippines.
“Sexual crimes against children are heinous and tragic
wherever they occur, and we will not let borders keep us from protecting these
vulnerable victims whenever possible,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “The
law allows us to pursue cases against U.S. citizens who victimize children
around the world, and that’s what we’ve done here. This defendant is off the
streets for 25 years, and that makes this a very good outcome.”
“The FBI investigates U.S. citizens who travel overseas to
engage in illegal sexual conduct with children under the age of 18 as well as
the production of child pornography,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott
Brunner. “The seriousness of Rosenow’s
crimes cannot be overstated. Preying upon children, no matter where they live,
and exploiting them is extremely damaging to children and to our global
society. Protecting the vulnerable is a top priority for the FBI and we stand
committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who seeks to harm children.”
The FBI also received information that Rosenow was
communicating through Facebook with what appeared to be minor females living in
the Philippines, using an account under the name “Carlos Senta,” and making
arrangements to meet to engage in sexual activities while he was traveling there.
The FBI was alerted that Rosenow was scheduled to return to
the United States from the Philippines in June of 2017, and he was arrested by
FBI agents when he arrived at the airport in San Diego on June 21, 2017.
Rosenow’s baggage and residence were searched pursuant to search warrants.
Three devices seized from Rosenow’s luggage contained videos, produced by
Rosenow while in the Philippines, showing Rosenow engaging in sexual acts with
minor females, and recording those sex acts. Additional devices seized from his
residence also contained visual depictions of Rosenow engaged in sexual acts
with minors while in the Philippines.
Facebook records introduced into evidence at trial
established that prior to meeting with one of the girls, Rosenow was told she
was 12 years old. While engaged in the sexual activity with the girl, she told
Rosenow she was 15. Rosenow also admitted as part of the evidence at trial that
he knew that another video, which showed him engaged in sexual acts with three
minor females, one of whom was a prepubescent female, was produced by him while
in the Philippines. Rosenow was charged by the United States with both using a
minor to engage in sexual conduct outside the United States, for the purpose of
producing visual depictions of that conduct, and intending to transport it back
to the United States, and with possession of child pornography.
Rosenow testified at trial and admitted that while he was
abroad in the Philippines for work, he had sex with girls who he knew were
minors, which is defined under federal law as anyone under the age of 18. The parties also agreed to facts which were
presented to the jury, showing that the defendant produced videos of himself
engaging in sexual acts, including vaginal intercourse, with minor females and
one prepubescent girl under the age of 12. The jury found defendant guilty of
both charges.
At sentencing, the prosecutor stressed that Rosenow engaged
in sex acts with prepubescent and minor-aged children in exchange for money,
cell phones, and chocolates, treating those children as a commodity. The Court
agreed that the nature and circumstances of the offense were aggravated by
anyone’s definition, finding the videos of defendant engaging in sex acts with
the children “deeply disturbing on many levels.” The Court rejected the notion
that the defendant merely engaged in commercial sexual transactions, noting the
young age of the girls and that the girls “did not seem to be willingly
engaging in the activity.” The Court noted the “defendant showed no sense of
compassion for these kids or remorse or recognition regarding what he did” and
that the defendant’s conduct “was despicable for lack of a better term.”
Following his release from federal prison, the Court
sentenced the defendant to a lifetime of supervised release. The Court also
ordered the defendant to pay a total fine of $100,000, and restitution to three
victims of the offense.
This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the
Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office. Formed in 2019, by U.S. Attorney
Robert Brewer, the VCHT Section is tasked with leading collaborations between
federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases
involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child
exploitation; civil rights; and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees
the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Childhood,
Project Safe Neighborhood, and Human Trafficking.
U.S. Attorney Brewer lauded the efforts of FBI agents and
prosecutors Mandy Griffith and Janet Cabral, who work hard to seek justice for
minor victims who are sexually exploited.
DEFENDANT
Criminal Case No. 17cr3430-WQH
Carsten Igor Rosenow Age: 55 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGE
Count 1 – Title
18, United States Code, Section 2251(c), Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a
Child – Production of Child Pornography
Count 2 – Title
18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B), Possession of Images of Minors
Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
Maximum penalties:
Count 1 - 30 years
in prison, with a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison
Count 2 – 20 years
in prison
As to all Counts,
$250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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