San Diego, California - Carsten Igor Rosenow was convicted by a federal jury Friday of attempted sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

Rosenow, a former chief marketing officer for a San Diego tech company, came to the attention of law enforcement when the FBI received information that Rosenow was communicating through Facebook with what appeared to be minor females living in the Philippines, using an account under the name “Carlos Senta.” The FBI also uncovered evidence that Rosenow traveled regularly to the Philippines, and appeared to be engaging in sexual activities with minors.

The FBI was alerted that Rosenow was scheduled to return to the United States from the Philippines in June of 2017, and he was arrested by FBI agents when he arrived at the airport in San Diego on June 21, 2017. Rosenow’s baggage and residence were searched pursuant to search warrants. According to evidence presented at trial, three devices seized from Rosenow’s luggage contained videos, produced by Rosenow while in the Philippines, showing Rosenow engaging in sexual acts with minor females. Additional devices seized from his residence also contained visual depictions of Rosenow engaged in sexual acts with minors while in the Philippines.

Facebook records introduced into evidence at trial established that prior to meeting with one of the girls, Rosenow was told she was 12 years old. While engaged in the sexual activity with the girl, she told Rosenow she was 15. Rosenow also admitted as part of the evidence at trial that he knew that another video, which showed him engaged in sexual acts with three minor females, one of whom was a prepubescent female, was produced by him while in the Philippines

Rosenow testified at trial and admitted that while he was abroad in the Philippines for work, he had sex with girls who he knew were minors, which is defined under federal law as anyone under the age of 18.  The jury found the defendant guilty of both charges. The court set sentencing for December 2, 2019.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.  Formed in 2019, by U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr., the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood.         

DEFENDANT                                               Criminal Case No. 17cr3430-WQH

Carsten Igor Rosenow                                    Age: 55           San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGE

• Count One – Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(c), Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child – Production of Child Pornography
• Count Two – Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B), Possession of Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct

Maximum penalties:

• Count One - 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison
• Count Two – 20 years in prison
• As to all Counts, $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation