CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal jury in Charlotte returned a guilty verdict against a Texas man for traveling to Charlotte to engage in sexual activity with a child, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

The jury also found Rusty Joseph Whittaker, 44, of Austin, Texas guilty of enticing a minor and producing child pornography.

Rusty Whittaker

James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson, “and we will do whatever it takes to protect them. Thanks to the exceptional work of the FBI, CMPD, a

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