Musician Added To Most-Wanted List
Faces Child Porn Charges in U.S., Thailand
By James Gordon Meek
Originally published by APBnews.com, Dec. 27, 2000
WASHINGTON (APBnews.com) — A keyboard player who once performed with rocker John Mellencamp was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list today.
Eric Franklin Rosser, who turns 49 on Jan. 17, is under indictment in Indiana and in Thailand for allegedly collecting, producing and distributing child pornography.
FBI spokesman Rex Tomb told APBnews.com that the addition of a nonviolent alleged felon "is a departure for the top 10 list" but signals the bureau's concern over a particularly heinous type of criminal activity.
Rosser's most-wanted designation "shows the heightened interest federal law enforcement has in crimes against children," he said. Officials believe the publicity will help authorities find their man, Tomb said, but the bureau also wants to send the message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated.
Allegedly appears on sex tape
A resident of Bloomington, Ind., before moving to Southeast Asia years ago, Rosser once tickled the ivories for Mellencamp and played on one of the singer's albums in the early 1980s.
Since then he has lived in Thailand and operated a music school for privileged children, officials said.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Indiana last March following a yearlong investigation of four other Bloomington men convicted of running a child-pornography ring that Rosser allegedly supplied.
Among other revelations, the probe exposed a videotape Rosser allegedly made in Thailand that showed the suspect and an 11-year-old girl engaged in sexual activity.
Some of the photos collected or produced by Rosser involved two victims under 11 from Bloomington and one Thai girl, the FBI said. The images were allegedly posted on the Internet.
Arrested in Thailand
Tipped off by FBI agents, the American was picked up by Royal Thai Police in February after a search of his music school uncovered more obscene materials, officials said.
A few weeks later he was charged with six offenses in the United States. Each count alleging conspiracy, distribution and transportation carries a maximum sentence of 15 years and a $250,000 fine. The production of child pornography charges carry additional sentences of 10 to 20 years upon conviction.
Rosser missed several court appearances in Bangkok, Thailand, following his arrest there, and has since been considered a fugitive from justice, Tomb said.
'Quite dangerous'
Richard Kammen, an Indianapolis attorney retained by Rosser's parents after the March indictment was handed up, declined to comment on the FBI action today.
If Rosser is taken into custody by U.S. authorities, his prosecution will likely be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven DeBrota, who said he was pleased the FBI put the fugitive on its high-profile list. "It's our hope that this will greatly assist in the process of finding him," he said. "We consider him quite dangerous."
If Thai officials capture Rosser first, the U.S. Justice Department will seek extradition, DeBrota said.
$50,000 reward
Those familiar with the case point out that Rosser has completely vanished since his initial arrest in Thailand. But DeBrota dismissed speculation that Rosser may no longer be alive.
He said FBI officials in Indiana announced today a reported sighting of Rosser in Amsterdam during August.
Rosser is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, wears prescription glasses and is completely bald at the top of his head. He has been known to use the alias Rice Sorser, the FBI said.
A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered by the FBI for information leading directly to his arrest.
