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The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is
published every Thursday during the
spring and summer terms by students
at the University of Michigan. One copy
is available free of charge to all readers.
Additional copies may be picked up at the
Daily’s office for $2. Subscriptions for fall
term, starting in September, via U.S. mail
are $110. Winter term (January through
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On-campus subscriptions for fall term
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The Michigan Daily is a member of The
Associated Press and The Associated
Collegiate Press.
2
Thursday, August 13, 2015
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
NEWS
FBI task force involved
in case against James
Daniel Cavalcoli
By EMMA KINERY
Daily Staff Reporter
A
University
professor
was
arrested Friday in Florida after
attempting to elicit sex from a
minor.
James Daniel Cavalcoli, an assis-
tant professor of computational
medicine and bioinformatics, was
arrested by FBI agents with assis-
tance from the Florida Depart-
ment of Law Enforcement and local
Sheriff’s deputies on Friday while
attempting to meet with a 14-year-
old boy.
The
FBI’s
Internet
Crimes
Against Children Task Force is also
involved in the case.
Cavalcoli, under the impression
he was meeting with the child’s
father, made plans with an under-
cover agent of the Florida Depart-
ment of Law Enforcement, which
led to his arrest in Weston, Florida.
According to court documents
acquired by The Michigan Daily,
the FBI investigation began in
November of 2013 when an agent
created a profile on a social media
site for men looking for sex. The
fake FBI profile was from the per-
spective of a 55-year-old father
with a 13-year-old son in Florida.
Cavalcoli, under the name “Jim,”
responded to the posting: “A fel-
low bl [boy lover] just don’t have
my own. Wanted to chat and share
stories and experiences - if you’re
interested,” and provided his email
address, according to court docu-
ments.
The two proceeded to com-
municate with one another and
on November 25, 2013 Cavalcoli
described to the agent actual sexual
experiences he has had with boys.
Cavalcoli told the agent he travels
to Florida for work every year in
early August.
According to court documents,
using a different email address in
December of 2013, Cavalcoli began
to talk about his interest in child
pornography. Months later, Caval-
coli asked for a picture of the man
and his son.
The agent on May 23, 2014 sent
an image appearing to be of a father
and son at soccer practice. The
image actually was of two adult
male Florida law enforcement offi-
cers who consented to the photo
being sent to Cavalcoli.
According to court documents,
Cavalcoli responded with three
explicit photos of himself.
In June of 2014, the FBI subpoe-
naed Yahoo for information relat-
ing to the original email address
used. With the IP address from the
Yahoo subpoena, the FBI subpoe-
naed Comcast and on July 16, 2014
Comcast sent information to the
FBI confirming James Cavalcoli as
the resident of the address.
Comparing Cavalcoli’s Michigan
Driver’s License photo to the one
posted on the website, the FBI was
able to confirm his identity. Agents
were able to reaffirm his identity
by comparing the picture from the
website to a photo listed on a Uni-
versity website.
On July 19, 2015 Cavalcoli posted
on the social media site he would
be in Florida in three weeks and
emailed the undercover agent on
July 25, 2015 asking if he and his
son would like to meet up. Two days
later the agent agreed.
Several
emails
were
sent
between the two, according to
court documents, including one
where Cavalcoli provided his cell
phone number which matched the
one from the Comcast subpoena.
On August 6, Cavalcoli emailed
the agent: “thanks for organiz-
ing. I’m excited and nervous. Can
you do me a favor and reassure
me you aren’t police or FBI afflli-
ated. lt would also be good to meet
you before going to your room ok?
I know this sounds strange, this is
my first time meeting. So just ner-
vous and cautious, ok??”
Court documents say the agent
responded: “....no pressure if you
don’t feel right then if ok not to
come.”
The following day Cavalcoli
went to a Florida hotel to meet with
the agent posing as the father and
son. He was arrested on his way
into the hotel.
Court documents state: “CAV-
ALCOLI admitted that he was
“Jim’’ on the social networking site
and that he had been communicat-
ing with an adult male who had a
14 year old son named Dormie. He
admitted that he had arranged to
meet at this hotel to engage in sexu-
al activity with the minor son.”
Cavalcoli told officers the trip
was partly for work and also to
meet up with the boy and his father.
He also admitted to sending explic-
it photos and stated he regretted
coming.
Several electronic devices were
taken from Cavalcoli by police
officers — including his laptop
— to assist in their investigation.
Police say the laptop is undergoing
forensic examination, according to
WXYZ.
Mary Masson, a University
Health System spokesperson, told
the Daily the University intends
to work with law enforcement
throughout the investigation of this
case.
‘U’ prof. arrested for sexual misconduct
THE BLE ACHE R S
AMANDA ALLEN /Daily
The Bleachers perform for concert goers at the Filmore in Detroit on Tuesday.