Iraqi weapons inspector accused in online sex sting

Facing seven years

A former head of UN weapons inspections in Iraq has been charged with child sex offences after being caught in an online sting.

Scott Ritter was a lone voice insisting Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the war, and remained highly critical of US policy subsequently.

He is accused of using the name Delmarm4fun during a sexually explicit instant messenger conversation with a 15-year-old girl called Emily. Emily was really a a Pennslyvanian police officer.

48-year-old Ritter is accused of exposing himself using a webcam. He also provided a mobile phone number which was later matched to his Nextel account.

He is accused of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal use of a communication facility, indecent exposure and criminal solicitation. The Smoking Gun has a copy of the affadavit.

Ritter was accused in a very similar sting operation in 2001, although charges were finally dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Ritter is free on $25,000 bail. The Pocono Record has more. ®