Border Patrol worker convicted in sex case

U.S. Border Patrol employee Rick A. LeVa, who traveled from Florida to Spokane, was convicted Thursday by a federal jury of intending to have sex with someone posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Teenager “Susie Ann” turned out to be middle-aged Spokane Police Detective Curt Kendall, who arrested LeVa on Dec. 3, 2002.

After a three-day trial and a day of deliberation, the 12-member jury convicted LeVa of using a computer to coerce or entice a minor to engage in an unlawful sex act.

The jury, composed of equal numbers of men and women, acquitted LeVa on a second count alleging he traveled interstate with the intent to have sex with a minor.

Testimony at the trial suggested LeVa, a civilian technician for the Border Patrol, was ordered to travel to Spokane to perform computer work for the federal agency.

He used a computer at his Florida work station to send “instant messages” and e-mails to “Susie Ann,” in the days just before he flew to Spokane.

After the verdicts, Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush allowed LeVa to return to Florida and remain out of jail until sentencing Oct. 12.

LeVa folded his hands and bowed his head as the guilty verdict was read by the judge.

He testified in his own behalf during the trial, claiming he knew the 13-year-old he was communicating with on the Internet was really an adult.

After arriving in Spokane on Dec. 3, 2002, LeVa sent another electronic message, asking to meet the teenager, witnesses testified.

A female police officer called LeVa and agreed to meet him at an apartment, where he was arrested after knocking on the door.