United States Attorney Marty J. Jackley announced that a Jasper, Minnesota, man has been charged in federal court with traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Ryan Lee Balster, age 22, was charged on May 2, 2008. He appeared before US Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on May 2, 2008, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is thirty years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation and Balster is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case. Balster was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.