Thailand to deport 'most wanted' child porn suspect

A Thai court today ordered an accused child pornographer on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list to be extradited to the US.

Eric Franklin Rosser, 50, said outside the Bangkok court that he would gladly turn back the clock if he could.

He is accused of producing and distributing child pornography, including a video showing him having sex with a girl said to be 11.

In December 2000, Rosser, from Syracuse, New York state, became the first child porn suspect placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.

He was arrested in Thailand in February 2000 on charges including lewd behaviour and possessing child pornography. But he jumped bail and disappeared.

Thai police said he underwent liposuction, had cosmetic surgery to his face and then travelled to the Netherlands, England and France before returning to Thailand to visit his Thai wife and his child.

He was arrested again in August 2001 by FBI agents and Thai police, and has already served time for various charges against him in Thailand.

“I found the treatment by Thailand very reasonable and I love Thailand,” he said.

When he was first arrested, Rosser had been working as a pianist at Bangkok’s luxury Oriental Hotel and gave music lessons to children at his home. Regarded as a talented pianist, he once played keyboards with rock star John Mellencamp.

Rosser has 15 days to appeal against the order, but has said in the past he would not oppose extradition.