U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Tampa, Florida  

March 23, 2005

NEWS RELEASE

A 33 year old Tampa man was arrested today by a task force which targets Internet sex crimes involving minors. The group includes representatives from the FBI, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Tampa Police Department.

Carl Whitehead, Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Division of the FBI, which is coordinating the task force operations, announced the arrest of Masud A. Syed of 18001 Allison Park Place, Tampa, FL.

Mr. Syed was arrested without incident on Federal charges involving the violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b), using a computer in interstate commerce to attempt to persuade, induce or entice an individual he believed had not attained the age of 18 years old to engage in sexual activity. Mr. Syed will be afforded an appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Tampa.

A brochure entitled, "A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety" has been created by the FBI, and is available at no cost by contacting the Tampa Office of the FBI at 813-273-4566 or through the FBI's website, www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguide.htm .