St. Croix, USVI – Roger Black, 48, of St. Croix, appeared before Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon for an Initial Appearance on August 16, 2019, after his arrest by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents on the charge of Coercion and Enticement.

According to court documents, on August 12, 2019, HSI initiated a law enforcement operation designed to target and identity adult individuals seeking to make contact with and engage in sexual activity with minors. Agents working online in an undercover capacity, created personas in online forums and applications designed to facilitate interactions between individuals. On August 15, 2019, Black initiated contact with an undercover agent on the application Grindr by sending a picture of his naked torso and another of his genitals. A dialogue ensured during which the undercover agent stated that he was 14. Later the defendant discussed the sexual activity that he wished to participate in with the undercover agent. A meet was set up for August 16, 2019, at which time Black was arrested.

Black is a wanted sex offender from Missouri and also has an outstanding parole violation warrant from Georgia.

Upon request of the Government, Black was ordered detained with a full Detention Hearing scheduled for August 21, 2019.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston.

United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert reminds the public that an arrest warrant is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.