Maryville man to be profiled on "America's Most Wanted"

June 8, 2006

MARYVILLE (WATE/AP) -- A Maryville man who pleaded guilty in an international sex tourism case, then disappeared, will be featured on the "America's Most Wanted" television program.

Court documents show Kevin Bruce Cooper, who has been profiled multiple times in the 6 News Fugitive File, traveled in June 2000 with a tour group called Tours to Paradise that arranged for U.S. travelers to meet Thai minors.

Prosecutors said while in Thailand, Cooper developed a consensual sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy.

Cooper pleaded guilty in summer 2005 and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

After the federal case was filed against him, state authorities dropped charges filed earlier, accusing Cooper of getting three teenage boys high on drugs and alcohol, then molesting them.

Cooper was ordered to report to federal prison two months later, but he dropped out of sight.

He was declared a fugitive in November.

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