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FBI adds suspected child pornographer to Most Wanted list

Rosser, wanted on six counts of sexual exploitation of children, faces similar charges in Thailand, where he was last seen

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Musician Eric Franklin Rosser, a former keyboard player for rock artist John Mellancamp, was named to the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list Wednesday by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

"For the first time, we are adding an individual accused of child pornography," Reno said in her announcement. "Eric Franklin Rosser is wanted for receiving, possessing, transporting and distributing child pornography."

Reno said child pornography was recovered from the home of one of Rosser's associates in the United States, including videotapes allegedly produced by Rosser and tapes in which Rosser appeared with young children.

Reno said Rosser, who ran a music school for children in Bangkok, Thailand, was charged by Thai authorities with the production and possession of child pornography and child endangerment after videotapes, prints and computer disks of child pornography were found in his home there in February.

RESOURCES Rosser's FBI Web page • Child pornography indictment against Rosser - March 2000 (FindLaw) • Rosser indicted under 18 USC 2252(a)(1) and (2) (FindLaw)

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After posting $25,000 bail in April, he failed to show up for any scheduled court appearances, she said.

In March, a federal grand jury in Bloomington, Indiana, indicted him on child pornography offenses, Reno said.

"The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of Mr. Rosser," Reno said. "As of today, his whereabouts are unknown. But with our announcement, we hope that will change."

"(Rosser) is a highly skilled keyboard player and an admitted pedophile. He should be considered dangerous, especially to children," Assistant FBI Director Ruben Garcia Jr. said.

"We all agree that children are our nation's most valuable asset. They are also the most vulnerable," Garcia said.

Since the inception of the FBI's Most Wanted program, 460 fugitives have been placed on the list and 431 have been captured.

In almost one-third of those cases, citizens played a major role, Reno said.

"Today, we are once again calling upon the public to help," Reno said.

Rosser was described as five feet, seven inches tall, 145 pounds with dark brown hair, bald on top, with blue eyes. He wears prescription glasses and has used the alias Rice Sorser, according to the FBI.

Rosser played the piano on Mellencamp's 1980 "Nothin' Matters and What If It Did" album.

"Eric Franklin Rosser played in my band in 1979 for a very brief period of time," Mellencamp said in a written statement faxed to Reuters. "I have not seen or spoken to him since."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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