A Danish man who traveled to Fresno to engage in pedophilia was sentenced to prison for distributing child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert announced that Claus Svelmo Marcuslund, 59, was sentenced to 14 years in prison with an additional 15 years of supervised release.
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Driving the news: In January 2023 Marcuslund had made contact with an undercover agent who had created a profile of a mother with a seven-year-old daughter on a dark-web site dedicated to people interested in pedophilia.
- “I’m Scandinavian, professional music producer/songwriter and lyricist and yeah, I’m also a pedophile,” Marcuslund told the agent.
- He also said that he was divorced and searching for a nice woman or mother to get to know better.
- “Obviously she must be 100% supportive of pedophilia and incest,” Marcuslund wrote.
- Marcuslund messaged the agent over the next several months on the dark-web site and on Telegram.
- He explained to the agent in graphic detail the sexual acts that he hoped to engage with the mother and child.
- Marcuslund also sent 300-600 images of adults sexually abusing young children and discussed having another child with the mother and molesting the newborn.
- He flew in from Copenhagen on July 11, 2023, and was arrested upon arriving at Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
- Marcuslund pleaded guilty in federal court on Feb. 20.
What they’re saying: “To vindicate victims of child exploitation and bring criminals to justice, our law enforcement and our communities must work together in partnership across county, state, and national borders,” Talbert said. “Our office is committed to protect our children and hold offenders accountable.”
