Canadian man arrested in Flagstaff for coming to US to have sex with teenage girl
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - A Canadian man made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday afternoon following his arrest for traveling to the United States to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
Dilbagh Singh, 56, of Ontario, Canada, was taken into custody Wednesday in Flagstaff by investigators with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Flagstaff and Cottonwood police departments, and the METRO Narcotics Task Force.
According to the criminal complaint, Singh initiated a conversation in January in an internet chatroom with undercover investigators posing as a 15-year-old girl named “Laura.” During these conversations, Singh stated that he lived in Scottsdale and expressed interest in meeting the teen to engage in sexual activity.
On May 2, HSI special agents identified Singh when he arrived in Phoenix on a flight from Toronto and observed him as he traveled to Flagstaff and checked into a local hotel. Singh was encountered the following day at the predetermined meet location and taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, investigators discovered condoms, alcohol and soda he bought for his planned sexual encounter with “Laura.”
“Foreigner nationals who travel to the United States seeking to engage in illicit activity with minors are on notice; our laws will ensure they pay a high price for their unconscionable actions,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of HSI Phoenix. “HSI will continue to pursue child predators and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
Anyone with information about Singh – or his internet chatroom handle “TYSON” – is encouraged to call HSI’s toll-free tip line 1-866-2DHS-ICE [1-866-234-7423].
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of traveling to the United States to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, Singh would face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a potential maximum penalty of up to 30 years.
Singh will appear in U.S. District Court for his detention hearing May 8.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Brooks.
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