A BRITISH FIFA official has been arrested in America after allegedly arranging to meet a 14-year-old boy for sex while on a work trip.
Jack Edward Coles, 39, was detained by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations at a hotel near FIFA’s offices in Coral Gables, Miami.
Coles, a project leader with FIFA Sound — the organization’s music division — allegedly met the boy on the dating app Grindr last October and engaged in sexual activity with him at a hotel, reports the Miami Herald.
He reportedly returned to Miami last week and attempted to meet the teen again, unaware that he was under federal investigation.
FIFA confirmed it was aware of the case but stressed that the allegations were a “personal matter” unrelated to Coles’ work with the organisation.
“FIFA is aware of ongoing legal proceedings in Miami. The alleged offenses are serious and of a personal matter with no link to his work at FIFA,” the world soccer body said in a statement Wednesday.
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“The individual has been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all duties. FIFA has no further comment at this stage,” it said.
The Miami Herald reports that Coles first contacted the teen via Instagram on October 10, asking him to visit him at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables.
The boy told Coles he was 16, according to the complaint.
The Brit initially responded that they would not have sex because of his age, writing: “I don’t want to break any laws.”
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However, according to the arrest complaint, Coles allegedly later ordered an Uber to bring the boy to his hotel, bought him a White Claw alcoholic beverage, and engaged in sexual activity with him.
Afterwards, he allegedly messaged the teen, saying: “Can’t wait to see you again” and “You’re gonna be my Miami boyfriend by the way.”
Coles returned to Zurich on October 21 but resumed contact with the boy in February, arranging to meet him again, reports the Miami Herald.
What the Brit didn’t know was that the teenager had been in contact with federal investigators after their first encounter.
On February 2, Coles messaged the boy again, saying: “I’m back Wednesday to Saturday So I see u.”
This time, a Homeland Security agent took control of the boy’s Instagram account.
The agent continued messaging Coles, who allegedly asked if he could record their next encounter and inquired about the boy’s grooming habits.
On Friday, Coles arranged for an Uber to pick up what he believed was the boy at Dolphin Mall.
Instead, a federal agent got into the car, which drove to Coles’ hotel, the Courtyard Miami Coral Gables.
When Coles opened the door expecting the teenager, agents and police officers arrested him on Friday.
According to the complaint, he was “naked, except for a shirt” at the
time.
Coles was charged with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activities and travelling to the US with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
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He was initially booked into the Broward Sheriff’s Office jail but has since been released.
It was not immediately clear whether he has legal representation.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
