Federal grand jury charges firefighter in child sex sting

By Steve Kanigher

Published Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 4:45 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 5:25 p.m.

A federal grand jury charged a Clark County Fire Department captain Tuesday with committing a child sex offense, Nevada's U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden announced today.

Martin Vohwinkel, 55, of Las Vegas, was indicted on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor for sex, a felony offense that carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison.

Vohwinkel surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service today pursuant to a federal arrest warrant, and is scheduled for an initial appearance and arraignment at 3 p.m. Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt.

Vohwinkel initially was arrested Friday by Henderson Police, having been accused of placing an ad on Craigslist to lure young girls for sex. The arrest came after he allegedly arrived at a Henderson parking lot to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Instead, he was tracked by an undercover Henderson police detective and charged with using technology to lure children for sexual purposes, said Keith Paul, spokesman for the Henderson Police Department.

Vohwinkel later posted bail and was released from custody the evening of his arrest, Paul said.

According to the federal indictment, from Feb. 25 to Feb. 26, Vohwinkle used a computer to knowingly coerce and entice an individual who has not attained the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity.

The case is being investigated by the Southern Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes the FBI, Metro Police and Henderson Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Koppe.