Fugitive Watch: Wanted by the FBI
William Lee Copp is wanted for numerous child pornography offenses.
April 2, 2008— -- William Lee Copp is wanted for child pornography offenses which occurred from the late 1990s through 2004, in Englewood, Fla.
Reward: None known at this time.
Hair: Brown/Gray
Eyes: Brown
Sex: Male
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 200 pounds
Race: White
Nationality: American
Place of Birth: Michigan
Date of Birth Used: June 2, 1942
Occupations: Copp was a gymnastics coach. He also has worked as a videographer and has been involved in video production.
Scars and Marks: None known.
Remarks: Copp is a former junior Olympics gymnastics coach and a member of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame (trampoline and tumbling). Copp has lived in Cleveland, Ohio, and Sarasota and Venice, Fla., and has traveled extensively throughout the world with contacts worldwide due to his involvement in international gymnastics competitions. He reportedly has expressed interest in traveling to Panama and Colombia. Copp is believed to be in Maro, Spain.
Copp is alleged to have used his credit card to subscribe to a Web site which allowed him to access child pornography. He allegedly downloaded child pornography and saved it to his computer and disks.
Copp was charged in a 126-count criminal complaint and capias by the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, State of Florida, for obscene material possession -- possessing a photograph of the sexual performance by a child in violation of Florida State statute. Copp was scheduled to appear for a court proceeding on Feb. 2, 2006, in Sarasota County, Fla., however, he failed to appear. He also was scheduled to appear for his trial on Feb. 6, 2006, at the Circuit Court, Sarasota, Fla., however, he failed to appear again. On Feb. 7, 2006, a state warrant was issued for his arrest.
Aliases: Bill Copp, Bil Copp
Contact: If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.