ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Gordon J. Plugh, 42, of Wayland, New York, formerly of Rochester, New York, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 30 years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, stated that in May 2005, the FBI received information that the website of the Great Plains Child Care Resource and Referral (GPCCRR) Center had been hacked and was being used as a repository site for the distribution of child pornography. GPCCRR Center provided web logs that showed the visitors to particular areas of the website. The investigation into Internet protocol addresses that had visited the hacked website led agents to interview the defendant at his residence in July 2005. Plugh voluntarily gave consent to the FBI agents to search two hard drives in his possession. Forensics performed on the hard drives revealed that they contained numerous images of child pornography.
The defendant obtained over 600 images of child pornography using the file sharing software KaZaa during the period between May 2003 and July 2005.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Colorado Springs Man Ordered Detained After Being Arrested for Production of Child Pornography
DENVER—Kenneth Wayne Hugo, age 37, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was ordered held without bond yesterday by a U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty after his arrest for the sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, United States Attorney John Walsh and Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced. Hugo was remanded into custody at the conclusion of the detention hearing.
On January 23, 2013, the FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department executed a search warrant at Hugo’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, agents and officers found over 8,000 images of child pornography on Hugo’s computer and media. During the course of the investigation, agents and officers also found images of child pornography that Hugo himself created, including taking pictures of himself while fondling girls under the age of 12 years old. On that date, Hugo was arrested and charged in state court for the molestation. On August 6, 2013, Hugo was indicted by a federal grand jury for documenting the molestation and other child pornography charges.
Count one of the indictment charges Hugo with the sexual exploitation of children. If convicted of that count, he faces not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000. Counts two and three of the indictment charge Hugo with distribution of child pornography. If convicted on those counts, the defendant faces not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000 per count. Count four of the indictment charges Hugo with possession of child pornography. If convicted of that count the defendant faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000.
“Combating the exploitation and victimization of children is one of the FBI’s top priorities,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. “With the arrest of Kenneth Hugo, the FBI, working in conjunction with state and local authorities, has removed another child predator from our community and curtailed the abusive actions of an individual actively preying on children.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department.
The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Valeria Spencer.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "Resources."
On January 23, 2013, the FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department executed a search warrant at Hugo’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, agents and officers found over 8,000 images of child pornography on Hugo’s computer and media. During the course of the investigation, agents and officers also found images of child pornography that Hugo himself created, including taking pictures of himself while fondling girls under the age of 12 years old. On that date, Hugo was arrested and charged in state court for the molestation. On August 6, 2013, Hugo was indicted by a federal grand jury for documenting the molestation and other child pornography charges.
Count one of the indictment charges Hugo with the sexual exploitation of children. If convicted of that count, he faces not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000. Counts two and three of the indictment charge Hugo with distribution of child pornography. If convicted on those counts, the defendant faces not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000 per count. Count four of the indictment charges Hugo with possession of child pornography. If convicted of that count the defendant faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000.
“Combating the exploitation and victimization of children is one of the FBI’s top priorities,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. “With the arrest of Kenneth Hugo, the FBI, working in conjunction with state and local authorities, has removed another child predator from our community and curtailed the abusive actions of an individual actively preying on children.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department.
The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Valeria Spencer.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "Resources."
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Former Federal Contractor Petitions to Plead Guilty to Unlawfully Disclosing National Defense Information and to Distributing Child Pornography
WASHINGTON—Donald John Sachtleben, a former FBI bomb technician who later worked as a government contractor for the agency, has filed a petition to plead guilty to newly filed charges of unlawfully disclosing national defense information relating to a disrupted terrorist plot. Sachtleben previously had filed a petition to plead guilty to charges of possessing and distributing child pornography resulting from a separate investigation.
Sachtleben, 55, of Carmel, Indiana, has signed plea agreements in both cases. The documents were filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Charges in the national security case were filed today, and charges in the child pornography case were filed in May 2012.
The developments were announced by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole; Ronald C. Machen, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; Joseph H. Hogsett, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana; and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
The plea agreements signed by the parties would resolve both cases in court proceedings in Indiana. The agreements, which are contingent upon the court’s approval, call for Sachtleben to plead guilty to the two national security charges as well as the two child pornography offenses. The plea agreements call for Sachtleben to be sentenced to a total of 140 months of incarceration, including a 43-month prison term for the national security offenses and a consecutive 97-month term for the child pornography charges.
“This unauthorized and unjustifiable disclosure severely jeopardized national security and put lives at risk,” Deputy Attorney General Cole said. “To keep the country safe, the department must enforce the law against such critical and dangerous leaks, while respecting the important role of the press under the department’s media guidelines and any shield law enacted by Congress. I am grateful to the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys’ offices in both Washington, D.C., and Indiana for their excellent and dedicated work on this case.”
“Fifteen months ago, we were given the task of uncovering who had threatened a sensitive intelligence operation and endangered lives by illegally disclosing classified information relating to a disrupted al Qaeda suicide bomb plot,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “That plot could not have been more serious, as it targeted a plane bound for the United States. After unprecedented investigative efforts by prosecutors and FBI agents and analysts, today Donald Sachtleben has been charged with this egregious betrayal of our national security. This prosecution demonstrates our deep resolve to hold accountable anyone who would violate their solemn duty to protect our nation’s secrets and to prevent future, potentially devastating leaks by those who would wantonly ignore their obligations to safeguard classified information.”
“The allegations in this case describe the defendant’s repeated violation of a sacred trust that the public had placed in him,” said U.S. Attorney Hogsett. “With these charges, a message has been sent that this type of behavior is completely unacceptable and no person is above the law.”
“Today, Mr. Sachtleben has been charged with knowingly and willfully disclosing national defense information to a member of the media,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “These charges are the result of a careful and thorough investigation by FBI special agents and analysts who, together with federal prosecutors, systematically conducted more than 500 interviews and, following that exhaustive process, analyzed relevant telephone records obtained by subpoena. After analysis of the telephone records, investigators identified him as the source of this unlawful disclosure. The FBI will continue to take all necessary steps to pursue such individuals who put the security of our nation and the lives of others at risk by their disclosure of sensitive information.”
National Security Case:
According to a criminal information filed today, on May 2, 2012, nine days before Sachtleben was arrested in Indiana on child pornography charges, Sachtleben knowingly and willfully disclosed national defense information to a reporter for a national news organization not entitled to receive it. The charging document alleges that Sachtleben had reason to believe that this information could be used to the injury of the United States and to the advantage of a foreign nation. The criminal information also charges him with willfully retaining documents relating to the national defense without authorization.
Sachtleben worked for the FBI from 1983 through 2008. During his career, he was a special agent bomb technician and was assigned to work on many major cases involving terrorist attacks. In his work as an FBI employee, Sachtleben held a top secret security clearance and had regular access to classified and national defense information relating to the FBI’s activities, as well as the activities of other members of the U.S. intelligence community.
In 2008, Sachtleben retired from the FBI and was rehired as a contractor. Because of his official responsibilities, he maintained his top secret security clearance as an FBI contractor. As a result, he continued to have regular access to classified and national defense information relating to the FBI’s activities, as well as the activities of other members of the U.S. intelligence community. As a contractor, he routinely visited the FBI Lab in Quantico, Virginia.
One of the criminal charges involves Sachtleben’s contacts with the reporter relating to the disruption of a plot to conduct a suicide bomb attack on a U.S.-bound airliner by the Yemen-based terrorist organization al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the recovery by the United States of a bomb in connection with that plot. As a result of Sachtleben’s disclosure of national defense information to the reporter, the national security of the United States was compromised, a significant international intelligence operation was placed in jeopardy, and lives were put at risk.
Sachtleben was identified as a suspect in the case of this unauthorized disclosure only after toll records for phone numbers related to the reporter were obtained through a subpoena and compared to other evidence collected during the leak investigation. This allowed investigators to obtain a search warrant authorizing a more exhaustive search of Sachtleben’s cell phone, computer, and other electronic media, which were in the possession of federal investigators due to the child pornography investigation.
Sachtleben was employed as an FBI contractor until on or about May 11, 2012. The following day, he was arrested in Indiana and charged by complaint with the federal child pornography charges.
Child Pornography Case:
According to a criminal complaint filed in Indiana in May 2012, federal and state investigators became aware of an individual trading images of child pornography online in September 2010. An extensive investigation into that individual led to the arrest of a defendant in Illinois in January 2012. Upon arrest, a forensic search of that defendant’s computer equipment and e-mail accounts allegedly revealed that he had been actively trading the explicit materials online with numerous other people.
Based on that information, law enforcement traced the alleged online activity to Sachtleben’s home in Carmel. After conducting several days of surveillance, a search warrant was executed on May 11, 2012, by law enforcement officers from the Indiana State Police and the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force. Sachtleben was charged in the Southern District of Indiana with possession and distribution of child pornography.
The complaint alleges that an initial forensic examination of Sachtleben’s laptop computer revealed the presence of approximately 30 images and video files containing child pornography. It is alleged that a number of files identified during this initial search matched those that had been found in the course of investigating the Illinois defendant. The complaint further alleges that the laptop’s hard drive contained references to other files known to have been in the possession of the Illinois defendant.
A criminal complaint and a criminal information are only charges and are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The national security investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office with assistance from the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan M. Malis and G. Michael Harvey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Richard S. Scott of the Counterespionage Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. Assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona N. Sahaf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Senior Litigation Counsel Steven D. DeBrota of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, who is also prosecuting the child pornography case.
The child pornography investigation was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Sachtleben, 55, of Carmel, Indiana, has signed plea agreements in both cases. The documents were filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Charges in the national security case were filed today, and charges in the child pornography case were filed in May 2012.
The developments were announced by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole; Ronald C. Machen, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; Joseph H. Hogsett, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana; and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
The plea agreements signed by the parties would resolve both cases in court proceedings in Indiana. The agreements, which are contingent upon the court’s approval, call for Sachtleben to plead guilty to the two national security charges as well as the two child pornography offenses. The plea agreements call for Sachtleben to be sentenced to a total of 140 months of incarceration, including a 43-month prison term for the national security offenses and a consecutive 97-month term for the child pornography charges.
“This unauthorized and unjustifiable disclosure severely jeopardized national security and put lives at risk,” Deputy Attorney General Cole said. “To keep the country safe, the department must enforce the law against such critical and dangerous leaks, while respecting the important role of the press under the department’s media guidelines and any shield law enacted by Congress. I am grateful to the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys’ offices in both Washington, D.C., and Indiana for their excellent and dedicated work on this case.”
“Fifteen months ago, we were given the task of uncovering who had threatened a sensitive intelligence operation and endangered lives by illegally disclosing classified information relating to a disrupted al Qaeda suicide bomb plot,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “That plot could not have been more serious, as it targeted a plane bound for the United States. After unprecedented investigative efforts by prosecutors and FBI agents and analysts, today Donald Sachtleben has been charged with this egregious betrayal of our national security. This prosecution demonstrates our deep resolve to hold accountable anyone who would violate their solemn duty to protect our nation’s secrets and to prevent future, potentially devastating leaks by those who would wantonly ignore their obligations to safeguard classified information.”
“The allegations in this case describe the defendant’s repeated violation of a sacred trust that the public had placed in him,” said U.S. Attorney Hogsett. “With these charges, a message has been sent that this type of behavior is completely unacceptable and no person is above the law.”
“Today, Mr. Sachtleben has been charged with knowingly and willfully disclosing national defense information to a member of the media,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “These charges are the result of a careful and thorough investigation by FBI special agents and analysts who, together with federal prosecutors, systematically conducted more than 500 interviews and, following that exhaustive process, analyzed relevant telephone records obtained by subpoena. After analysis of the telephone records, investigators identified him as the source of this unlawful disclosure. The FBI will continue to take all necessary steps to pursue such individuals who put the security of our nation and the lives of others at risk by their disclosure of sensitive information.”
National Security Case:
According to a criminal information filed today, on May 2, 2012, nine days before Sachtleben was arrested in Indiana on child pornography charges, Sachtleben knowingly and willfully disclosed national defense information to a reporter for a national news organization not entitled to receive it. The charging document alleges that Sachtleben had reason to believe that this information could be used to the injury of the United States and to the advantage of a foreign nation. The criminal information also charges him with willfully retaining documents relating to the national defense without authorization.
Sachtleben worked for the FBI from 1983 through 2008. During his career, he was a special agent bomb technician and was assigned to work on many major cases involving terrorist attacks. In his work as an FBI employee, Sachtleben held a top secret security clearance and had regular access to classified and national defense information relating to the FBI’s activities, as well as the activities of other members of the U.S. intelligence community.
In 2008, Sachtleben retired from the FBI and was rehired as a contractor. Because of his official responsibilities, he maintained his top secret security clearance as an FBI contractor. As a result, he continued to have regular access to classified and national defense information relating to the FBI’s activities, as well as the activities of other members of the U.S. intelligence community. As a contractor, he routinely visited the FBI Lab in Quantico, Virginia.
One of the criminal charges involves Sachtleben’s contacts with the reporter relating to the disruption of a plot to conduct a suicide bomb attack on a U.S.-bound airliner by the Yemen-based terrorist organization al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the recovery by the United States of a bomb in connection with that plot. As a result of Sachtleben’s disclosure of national defense information to the reporter, the national security of the United States was compromised, a significant international intelligence operation was placed in jeopardy, and lives were put at risk.
Sachtleben was identified as a suspect in the case of this unauthorized disclosure only after toll records for phone numbers related to the reporter were obtained through a subpoena and compared to other evidence collected during the leak investigation. This allowed investigators to obtain a search warrant authorizing a more exhaustive search of Sachtleben’s cell phone, computer, and other electronic media, which were in the possession of federal investigators due to the child pornography investigation.
Sachtleben was employed as an FBI contractor until on or about May 11, 2012. The following day, he was arrested in Indiana and charged by complaint with the federal child pornography charges.
Child Pornography Case:
According to a criminal complaint filed in Indiana in May 2012, federal and state investigators became aware of an individual trading images of child pornography online in September 2010. An extensive investigation into that individual led to the arrest of a defendant in Illinois in January 2012. Upon arrest, a forensic search of that defendant’s computer equipment and e-mail accounts allegedly revealed that he had been actively trading the explicit materials online with numerous other people.
Based on that information, law enforcement traced the alleged online activity to Sachtleben’s home in Carmel. After conducting several days of surveillance, a search warrant was executed on May 11, 2012, by law enforcement officers from the Indiana State Police and the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force. Sachtleben was charged in the Southern District of Indiana with possession and distribution of child pornography.
The complaint alleges that an initial forensic examination of Sachtleben’s laptop computer revealed the presence of approximately 30 images and video files containing child pornography. It is alleged that a number of files identified during this initial search matched those that had been found in the course of investigating the Illinois defendant. The complaint further alleges that the laptop’s hard drive contained references to other files known to have been in the possession of the Illinois defendant.
A criminal complaint and a criminal information are only charges and are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The national security investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office with assistance from the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan M. Malis and G. Michael Harvey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Richard S. Scott of the Counterespionage Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. Assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona N. Sahaf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Senior Litigation Counsel Steven D. DeBrota of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, who is also prosecuting the child pornography case.
The child pornography investigation was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 46-Month Prison Term for Possession of Child Pornography
WASHINGTON—Cornelius Magee, 37, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was sentenced today to 46 months of incarceration for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Magee pled guilty to the charge in February 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. Upon completion of his prison term, Magee will be placed on 10 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on October 24, 2012, Magee contacted a man he believed to be the father of a 12-year-old girl on a social networking site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force.
Over the next two days, Magee engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer. During this period of time, Magee sent the undercover officer two videos of child pornography which depicted adult men engaged in sexual acts with children. Following the defendant’s arrest on October 26, 2012, members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force conducted a search of Magee’s residence and found approximately 16 additional videos of child pornography on the defendant’s computer.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
Magee pled guilty to the charge in February 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. Upon completion of his prison term, Magee will be placed on 10 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on October 24, 2012, Magee contacted a man he believed to be the father of a 12-year-old girl on a social networking site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force.
Over the next two days, Magee engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer. During this period of time, Magee sent the undercover officer two videos of child pornography which depicted adult men engaged in sexual acts with children. Following the defendant’s arrest on October 26, 2012, members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force conducted a search of Magee’s residence and found approximately 16 additional videos of child pornography on the defendant’s computer.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Receiving Child Pornography Over the Internet
JACKSONVILLE, FL—United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced William Douglas Smith, III (29, Jacksonville) to six years and 10 months in prison for receiving child pornography over the Internet. He was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. Smith pleaded guilty on June 3, 2013, and has been in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since August 27, 2013.
According to court documents, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville began an investigation to identify individuals that had access to and/or were trading images and videos depicting child pornography over the Internet. The agent determined that a computer using a particular Internet protocol (IP) address in the Jacksonville area was hosting images of child pornography using a file sharing program. The agent made a connection to this computer through the Internet and downloaded several video files directly from this computer. Each of the videos depicted young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further investigation revealed that the IP address resolved back to Smith’s Jacksonville residence.
On December 6, 2012, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Smith’s residence and seized, among other things, five computers and 66 compact discs. A subsequent forensic analysis of the computer used by Smith revealed that it contained more than 250 videos of child pornography. During an interview with law enforcement, Smith admitted to accumulating and collection child pornography and said that he enjoyed "the naughtiness of it." He stated that child pornography videos "get your heart going."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
According to court documents, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville began an investigation to identify individuals that had access to and/or were trading images and videos depicting child pornography over the Internet. The agent determined that a computer using a particular Internet protocol (IP) address in the Jacksonville area was hosting images of child pornography using a file sharing program. The agent made a connection to this computer through the Internet and downloaded several video files directly from this computer. Each of the videos depicted young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further investigation revealed that the IP address resolved back to Smith’s Jacksonville residence.
On December 6, 2012, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Smith’s residence and seized, among other things, five computers and 66 compact discs. A subsequent forensic analysis of the computer used by Smith revealed that it contained more than 250 videos of child pornography. During an interview with law enforcement, Smith admitted to accumulating and collection child pornography and said that he enjoyed "the naughtiness of it." He stated that child pornography videos "get your heart going."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Pornography
Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Daniel Harrison, 32, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2011, a Connecticut State Police Trooper assigned to the Computer Crimes Unit logged into a publicly available Internet file sharing program and downloaded images and videos of child pornography from a system connected to the network with an Internet protocol address assigned to Harrison. On November 28, 2011, law enforcement agents conducted a court-authorized search of Harrison’s residence and seized several items, including a laptop computer and a video game console. Forensic analysis of Harrison’s laptop and video game console revealed approximately 4,496 image files and 387 video files of child pornography.
Harrison was arrested on November 28, 2011. On December 14, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
In September 2002, in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven, Harrison was convicted of possession of child pornography. As a result of this prior conviction, Harrison faced a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years.
This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit, the New Haven Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2011, a Connecticut State Police Trooper assigned to the Computer Crimes Unit logged into a publicly available Internet file sharing program and downloaded images and videos of child pornography from a system connected to the network with an Internet protocol address assigned to Harrison. On November 28, 2011, law enforcement agents conducted a court-authorized search of Harrison’s residence and seized several items, including a laptop computer and a video game console. Forensic analysis of Harrison’s laptop and video game console revealed approximately 4,496 image files and 387 video files of child pornography.
Harrison was arrested on November 28, 2011. On December 14, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
In September 2002, in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven, Harrison was convicted of possession of child pornography. As a result of this prior conviction, Harrison faced a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years.
This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit, the New Haven Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Wallingford Woman Charged with Producing and Distributing Child Pornography
Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Rhonda M. Glover, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that Angela D. Martin, also known as Angela Haussmann, 29, of Wallingford, was arrested yesterday and charged by federal criminal complaint with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
The criminal complaint alleges that, in August 2013, Martin sexually abused a female child, filmed the abuse with her cell phone, and then e-mailed the video to another individual in California. The victim was approximately 3 years old at the time of the abuse.
In addition, it is alleged that between August 2013 and September 19, 2013, Martin possessed and distributed other child pornography that she received from other individuals.
The complaint further alleges that Martin is a registered sex offender as the result of a prior felony conviction in the state of Connecticut for second-degree sexual assault of a minor.
Martin appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was ordered detained.
If convicted of the charge of production of child pornography, Martin faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 50 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the charge of distribution of child pornography, Martin faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the charge of possession of child pornography, Martin faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Martin’s criminal history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wallingford Police Department, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Neeraj Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The criminal complaint alleges that, in August 2013, Martin sexually abused a female child, filmed the abuse with her cell phone, and then e-mailed the video to another individual in California. The victim was approximately 3 years old at the time of the abuse.
In addition, it is alleged that between August 2013 and September 19, 2013, Martin possessed and distributed other child pornography that she received from other individuals.
The complaint further alleges that Martin is a registered sex offender as the result of a prior felony conviction in the state of Connecticut for second-degree sexual assault of a minor.
Martin appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was ordered detained.
If convicted of the charge of production of child pornography, Martin faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 50 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the charge of distribution of child pornography, Martin faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the charge of possession of child pornography, Martin faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Martin’s criminal history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wallingford Police Department, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Neeraj Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to New Offense
BOISE—Jeremy E. Durkin, 35, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, pleaded guilty in federal court on September 19, 2013, to use of a facility of interstate commerce to transmit information about a minor, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced
According to the plea agreement, the matter came to the attention of law enforcement on September 23, 2010, when, during routine cell search at the Idaho State Correctional Institution, a correctional officer found a letter on Durkin’s bunk that referenced a Yahoo e-mail account. The letter, written by Durkin, referred to the intended recipient as “you sexy 16-year-old.” In the letter, Durkin is asking someone he referred to in the greeting as “my Love,” to keep his (Durkin’s) Yahoo e-mail account active by logging on to it once a month and deleting all incoming mail. The letter further states, “This way I wont loose [sic] all the photos have up there. I don’t really want to ask anybody else cuz there is naked photos of you that I don’t want anybody to see.”
The FBI identified the victim as a high school student in Oregon. When interviewed, the youth told investigators that Durkin initiated contact in December 2009 via Facebook. The victim further stated that Durkin (who was not known by the victim prior to that time) persuaded the victim to call him at a telephone number in Idaho. The two spoke telephonically and “hit it off,” according to the victim. Durkin initially gave a false name but not long after they met online, told the youth his true name. According to the victim, Durkin knew the teenager was 15 years old at the time.
According to the victim, from December 2009 until the summer 2010, Durkin was in constant contact via e-mail, telephone and U.S. mail. The youth described their relationship as being almost immediately romantic and sexual and said they exchanged sexually explicit photos. A search of Durkin’s Yahoo account confirmed the allegations. The two never met in person; their relationship was entirely via telephone, e-mail, and U.S. mail.
In 2005, Durkin pleaded guilty in Kootenai County, Idaho, to one count of lewd conduct with a child under age 16. He was on parole and out of custody at the time the incidents occurred that resulted in the new federal charges. Durkin’s parole was revoked in 2010, and he was returned to prison. He is currently serving a state prison sentence on the Kootenai County case and is scheduled for release in 2016.
The federal charge of using a facility of interstate commerce to transmit information about a minor, when committed by a person convicted of a prior sex offense, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to lifetime supervised release.
Sentencing is set is for December 2, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Idaho Department of Correction. Both agencies are southern Idaho members of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a statewide coalition of local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecution agencies focused on apprehending and prosecuting individuals who use the Internet to criminally exploit children. For more information about the Idaho ICAC Task Force and a list of all the participating agencies, visit www.icacidaho.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
According to the plea agreement, the matter came to the attention of law enforcement on September 23, 2010, when, during routine cell search at the Idaho State Correctional Institution, a correctional officer found a letter on Durkin’s bunk that referenced a Yahoo e-mail account. The letter, written by Durkin, referred to the intended recipient as “you sexy 16-year-old.” In the letter, Durkin is asking someone he referred to in the greeting as “my Love,” to keep his (Durkin’s) Yahoo e-mail account active by logging on to it once a month and deleting all incoming mail. The letter further states, “This way I wont loose [sic] all the photos have up there. I don’t really want to ask anybody else cuz there is naked photos of you that I don’t want anybody to see.”
The FBI identified the victim as a high school student in Oregon. When interviewed, the youth told investigators that Durkin initiated contact in December 2009 via Facebook. The victim further stated that Durkin (who was not known by the victim prior to that time) persuaded the victim to call him at a telephone number in Idaho. The two spoke telephonically and “hit it off,” according to the victim. Durkin initially gave a false name but not long after they met online, told the youth his true name. According to the victim, Durkin knew the teenager was 15 years old at the time.
According to the victim, from December 2009 until the summer 2010, Durkin was in constant contact via e-mail, telephone and U.S. mail. The youth described their relationship as being almost immediately romantic and sexual and said they exchanged sexually explicit photos. A search of Durkin’s Yahoo account confirmed the allegations. The two never met in person; their relationship was entirely via telephone, e-mail, and U.S. mail.
In 2005, Durkin pleaded guilty in Kootenai County, Idaho, to one count of lewd conduct with a child under age 16. He was on parole and out of custody at the time the incidents occurred that resulted in the new federal charges. Durkin’s parole was revoked in 2010, and he was returned to prison. He is currently serving a state prison sentence on the Kootenai County case and is scheduled for release in 2016.
The federal charge of using a facility of interstate commerce to transmit information about a minor, when committed by a person convicted of a prior sex offense, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to lifetime supervised release.
Sentencing is set is for December 2, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Idaho Department of Correction. Both agencies are southern Idaho members of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a statewide coalition of local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecution agencies focused on apprehending and prosecuting individuals who use the Internet to criminally exploit children. For more information about the Idaho ICAC Task Force and a list of all the participating agencies, visit www.icacidaho.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Dallas Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Federal Prison for Transporting and Shipping Child Pornography
DALLAS—Danny Jack Harder, 39, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 150 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release, following his guilty plea in March 2013 to one count of transporting and shipping child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. Harder has been in custody since his arrest in December 2012 on a related federal criminal complaint.
According to documents filed in the case, the investigation of Harder began on October 25, 2013, when an officer with the Plano Police Department, operating in an undercover capacity, encountered an individual online in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing network who appeared to have several files containing child pornography.
According to the factual resume filed in the case, on November 15, 2012, special agents with the FBI executed a search warrant at Harder’s residence in Dallas. Harder admitted that he intentionally and knowingly received and transported child pornography via P2P file sharing software and/or networks. He also acknowledged that his P2P shared folder contained well over 350 videos of child pornography. A forensic review of his computer and computer-related items indicated that he provided the password to his P2P shared folder approximately 265 times in 2011-2012 and that on October 25, 2012, his shared folder contained the equivalent of more than 600 images available for sharing.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “Resources.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Plano Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Miller prosecuted.
According to documents filed in the case, the investigation of Harder began on October 25, 2013, when an officer with the Plano Police Department, operating in an undercover capacity, encountered an individual online in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing network who appeared to have several files containing child pornography.
According to the factual resume filed in the case, on November 15, 2012, special agents with the FBI executed a search warrant at Harder’s residence in Dallas. Harder admitted that he intentionally and knowingly received and transported child pornography via P2P file sharing software and/or networks. He also acknowledged that his P2P shared folder contained well over 350 videos of child pornography. A forensic review of his computer and computer-related items indicated that he provided the password to his P2P shared folder approximately 265 times in 2011-2012 and that on October 25, 2012, his shared folder contained the equivalent of more than 600 images available for sharing.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “Resources.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Plano Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Miller prosecuted.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Greece Man Pleads Guilty to Online Enticement of a Minor
ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Terrance Junot, III, 37, of Greece, New York, pleaded guilty to online enticement of a minor before U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison with a mandatory minimum period of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with a 13-year-old child who was known to him. During those communications, Junot persuaded the child to produce sexually explicit photographs of herself, which she then sent to him over the Internet. The defendant also sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the child during these chats.
The case came to the attention of law enforcement after the child’s mother found naked photos of the defendant on her child’s phone. The parent recognized the defendant as someone who was known to the family and took the phone to the Greece Police, who began an investigation. In the course of their investigation, Greece Police executed several search warrants and searched the victim’s cell phone. Following their discovery of sexually explicit pictures of the victim, Greece Police contacted the FBI Cyber-Crimes Task Force for assistance.
“Our office frequently tells parents and guardians to monitor the computer and cell phone usage of their children,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “The mother of the victim in this case did just that, and now a predator will not be allowed to victimize any other children. I urge all parents to be on alert. If you see something, please say something, and, as in this case, we will do something.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of officers of the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Todd Baxter, and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig.
Sentencing is set for January 10, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with a 13-year-old child who was known to him. During those communications, Junot persuaded the child to produce sexually explicit photographs of herself, which she then sent to him over the Internet. The defendant also sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the child during these chats.
The case came to the attention of law enforcement after the child’s mother found naked photos of the defendant on her child’s phone. The parent recognized the defendant as someone who was known to the family and took the phone to the Greece Police, who began an investigation. In the course of their investigation, Greece Police executed several search warrants and searched the victim’s cell phone. Following their discovery of sexually explicit pictures of the victim, Greece Police contacted the FBI Cyber-Crimes Task Force for assistance.
“Our office frequently tells parents and guardians to monitor the computer and cell phone usage of their children,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “The mother of the victim in this case did just that, and now a predator will not be allowed to victimize any other children. I urge all parents to be on alert. If you see something, please say something, and, as in this case, we will do something.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of officers of the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Todd Baxter, and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig.
Sentencing is set for January 10, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
Troy Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual Acts
ALBANY, NY—Michael Heppelle, age 42, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today in Albany before Chief United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to one count of attempted online enticement of a minor, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. Heppelle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years of imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Heppelle was detained pending his sentencing.
Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Heppelle admitted that between approximately September 24, 2012 and October 3, 2012, he called a cooperating witness and offered to pay $500 if the cooperating witness could arrange for Heppelle to have a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old girl. The cooperating witness reported his/her concerns to law enforcement, who in turn told the cooperating witness to tell Heppelle that if he was serious about engaging in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl, he could meet her on October 3, 2012, at a particular time at a pre-arranged location in Rensselaer County. On October 3, 2012, Heppelle arrived at the pre-arranged location at the pre-determined time to meet with and engage in sexual acts with the girl. Heppelle was then arrested and was found to be in possession of $500 in U.S. currency, a cellular telephone, two condoms, and a lubricant typically used during sexual intercourse.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Albany, New York. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.
Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Heppelle admitted that between approximately September 24, 2012 and October 3, 2012, he called a cooperating witness and offered to pay $500 if the cooperating witness could arrange for Heppelle to have a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old girl. The cooperating witness reported his/her concerns to law enforcement, who in turn told the cooperating witness to tell Heppelle that if he was serious about engaging in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl, he could meet her on October 3, 2012, at a particular time at a pre-arranged location in Rensselaer County. On October 3, 2012, Heppelle arrived at the pre-arranged location at the pre-determined time to meet with and engage in sexual acts with the girl. Heppelle was then arrested and was found to be in possession of $500 in U.S. currency, a cellular telephone, two condoms, and a lubricant typically used during sexual intercourse.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Albany, New York. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Former Charter School Principal and Former Special Education Teacher Sentenced on Child Pornography-Related Charges
ASHEVILLE, NC—U.S. District Court Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced today a former charter school principal and a former special education teacher on charges related to child pornography, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Chadwick Hamby, 42, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, was sentenced to 51 months in prison, to be followed by lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of 15 years. Deborah Lee Tipton, 45, of Burt, North Carolina, was sentenced to 216 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. She was ordered to register as a sex offenders for a period of 25 years.
Joining U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement is John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division.
In August 2012, Hamby, a former principal at Mountain Community School, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. In September 2012, Tipton, who was a teacher at the same school as Hamby at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty to one count of possession and one count of transportation of child pornography. According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in or about September 10, 2011, Tipton produced two sexually explicit videos of a child under the age of 12. Court records indicate that Tipton sent these videos to Hamby via the Internet. Court documents show that Hamby admitted to viewing the videos at least once before deleting them.
In handing down Hamby’s sentence, Judge Reidinger noted that the offense is one of lasting damage and that the crime is all the more serious in light of Hamby being an educator and a principal. In announcing Tipton’s sentence, the judge said that he had never seen a case like this.
Hamby has been in federal custody in the Western District since August 2012. Tipton has been in custody since April 2012. Each defendant will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. Federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Thorneloe and Cortney Escaravage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Joining U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement is John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division.
In August 2012, Hamby, a former principal at Mountain Community School, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. In September 2012, Tipton, who was a teacher at the same school as Hamby at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty to one count of possession and one count of transportation of child pornography. According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in or about September 10, 2011, Tipton produced two sexually explicit videos of a child under the age of 12. Court records indicate that Tipton sent these videos to Hamby via the Internet. Court documents show that Hamby admitted to viewing the videos at least once before deleting them.
In handing down Hamby’s sentence, Judge Reidinger noted that the offense is one of lasting damage and that the crime is all the more serious in light of Hamby being an educator and a principal. In announcing Tipton’s sentence, the judge said that he had never seen a case like this.
Hamby has been in federal custody in the Western District since August 2012. Tipton has been in custody since April 2012. Each defendant will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. Federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Thorneloe and Cortney Escaravage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a Minor
ALBUQUERQUE—Leo Thompson, 54, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, New Mexico, pleaded guilty this morning to sexually abusing a minor under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Thompson will be sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Thompson will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.
Thompson was arrested on January 29, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. During today’s proceedings, Thompson pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with sexual abuse of a minor and admitted engaging in a sexual act with a child between the age of 12 and 16 years. Thompson admitted penetrating the child victim’s genitals with his finger at a location within the Navajo Indian Reservation on November 12, 2011.
Thompson has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Farmington Office of the FBI and the Shiprock Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Thompson was arrested on January 29, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. During today’s proceedings, Thompson pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with sexual abuse of a minor and admitted engaging in a sexual act with a child between the age of 12 and 16 years. Thompson admitted penetrating the child victim’s genitals with his finger at a location within the Navajo Indian Reservation on November 12, 2011.
Thompson has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Farmington Office of the FBI and the Shiprock Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Parmelee Man Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Joseph Morrisette, age 43, of Parmelee, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on September 16, 2013, and pled guilty to count one of the indictment that charged him with child abuse.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and an additional two years of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered.
The conviction stems from an incident on July 9, 2013, when Morrisette was babysitting several children at his home while he was drinking. He was intoxicated and struck the victim, giving the child a black eye.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Morrisette was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing which has been set for November 26, 2013.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and an additional two years of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered.
The conviction stems from an incident on July 9, 2013, when Morrisette was babysitting several children at his home while he was drinking. He was intoxicated and struck the victim, giving the child a black eye.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Morrisette was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing which has been set for November 26, 2013.
Virginia Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor
WASHINGTON—George G. Kahl, 42, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Kahl, of Alexandria, Virginia, pled guilty in April 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer. Upon completion of his prison term, Kahl will be placed on 10 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 9, 2013, Kahl contacted a man he believed to be the father of an under-aged female child on a social network site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. Over the next few days, Kahl engaged in graphic online e-mail and text message conversations with the undercover officer. During these conversations, Kahl arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the purported child. On February 22, 2013, Kahl traveled from Alexandria to Washington, D.C., for that purpose and was arrested.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
Kahl, of Alexandria, Virginia, pled guilty in April 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer. Upon completion of his prison term, Kahl will be placed on 10 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 9, 2013, Kahl contacted a man he believed to be the father of an under-aged female child on a social network site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. Over the next few days, Kahl engaged in graphic online e-mail and text message conversations with the undercover officer. During these conversations, Kahl arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the purported child. On February 22, 2013, Kahl traveled from Alexandria to Washington, D.C., for that purpose and was arrested.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who prosecuted the case.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Milwaukee Man Charged with Transporting a Minor from Wisconsin to Illinois to Engage in Prostitution
CHICAGO—A Milwaukee man was arrested on a federal charge of sex trafficking a minor, and the alleged 15-year-old victim, from Madison, Wisconsin, was returned to her home, federal law enforcement authorities announced today. The defendant, Dajuan Key, also known as “Dejuan Key,” 30, was scheduled to return to federal court in Chicago at 2:30 p.m. today for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Martin.
Key was taken into federal custody by FBI agents on Saturday and charged with sex trafficking a minor for allegedly transporting the 15-year-old girl from Madison to Chicago to engage in prostitution. He appeared before Magistrate Martin on Saturday and was ordered to remain in custody pending today’s hearing.
Transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit, the victim was found last Tuesday by Romeoville Police officers at a fast food restaurant in the far southwest suburb after the girl’s mother reported that her daughter had called her crying and told her that she was at a motel in Romeoville and did not have a way home. Romeoville Police responded to the motel where they located Key with a woman identified as an adult victim and who then accompanied police to the nearby restaurant and identified the minor victim.
The minor victim told FBI agents that she met a man, whom she identified as Key, at an apartment complex in Madison on September 8. Key told the girl that he was going to take her to Milwaukee and would return her to Madison. Instead, Key allegedly drove the girl to Chicago, and they eventually arrived at a motel in Romeoville, where Key introduced the girl to a woman he told her was working for him as a prostitute. Key allegedly told the girl that if she worked for him, she would be able to keep all the money she made. The victim told Key that she wanted him to take her home, but Key got the victim a motel room and took photographs of her, which he then apparently posted in online advertisements because her cell phone began to receive calls from unidentified numbers.
The victim repeatedly told Key that she wanted to go home, but she had no way to do so on her own, was tired, and agreed to spend the night believing Key would take her home in the morning. On September 9 and 10, the victim engaged in commercial sex acts, believing that she would get to keep the money and use it for a bus ticket home. However, in each instance, Key demanded the money, and the victim gave it to him because she was afraid of what he might do if she did not comply.
The arrest and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Shields, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They commended the assistance and cooperation of the Romeoville Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force is part of a nationwide effort known as the Innocence Lost National Initiative targeting those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. In Chicago, the CETF is composed of FBI special agents and officers and investigators from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case also falls under the umbrella of the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Sawyer.
A complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key was taken into federal custody by FBI agents on Saturday and charged with sex trafficking a minor for allegedly transporting the 15-year-old girl from Madison to Chicago to engage in prostitution. He appeared before Magistrate Martin on Saturday and was ordered to remain in custody pending today’s hearing.
Transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit, the victim was found last Tuesday by Romeoville Police officers at a fast food restaurant in the far southwest suburb after the girl’s mother reported that her daughter had called her crying and told her that she was at a motel in Romeoville and did not have a way home. Romeoville Police responded to the motel where they located Key with a woman identified as an adult victim and who then accompanied police to the nearby restaurant and identified the minor victim.
The minor victim told FBI agents that she met a man, whom she identified as Key, at an apartment complex in Madison on September 8. Key told the girl that he was going to take her to Milwaukee and would return her to Madison. Instead, Key allegedly drove the girl to Chicago, and they eventually arrived at a motel in Romeoville, where Key introduced the girl to a woman he told her was working for him as a prostitute. Key allegedly told the girl that if she worked for him, she would be able to keep all the money she made. The victim told Key that she wanted him to take her home, but Key got the victim a motel room and took photographs of her, which he then apparently posted in online advertisements because her cell phone began to receive calls from unidentified numbers.
The victim repeatedly told Key that she wanted to go home, but she had no way to do so on her own, was tired, and agreed to spend the night believing Key would take her home in the morning. On September 9 and 10, the victim engaged in commercial sex acts, believing that she would get to keep the money and use it for a bus ticket home. However, in each instance, Key demanded the money, and the victim gave it to him because she was afraid of what he might do if she did not comply.
The arrest and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Shields, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They commended the assistance and cooperation of the Romeoville Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force is part of a nationwide effort known as the Innocence Lost National Initiative targeting those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. In Chicago, the CETF is composed of FBI special agents and officers and investigators from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case also falls under the umbrella of the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Sawyer.
A complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Connection with Sexual Abuse of a Minor Investigation
Aaron T. Ford, Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is seeking the public’s assistance in an effort to identify additional victims of an individual arrested and charged with the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13 years old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with travelling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo travelled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo travelled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
Individuals with information concerning Joseph Anthony Carraciolo are asked to contact the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information can also be provided to the nearest FBI field office or filed electronically at https://tips.fbi.gov.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13 years old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with travelling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo travelled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo travelled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
- A tattoo of ivy on his left finger
- A chef in a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef and an underlying quote on the forearm
- A cancer ribbon with boxing gloves on forearm.=
- The initials "AJ" on the inner left wrist
- The letter “M” on inner right wrist
- The initials "NY" on the left upper arm
- An “X” between the webbing of the thumb and index finger
Former Ledyard Resident Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Offenses
Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Matthew Wallace, 32, formerly of Ledyard, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. On March 6, 2013, a jury found Wallace guilty of one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.
According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, on January 19, 2010, a Milford Police detective assigned to the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force logged into a peer-to-peer Internet file sharing network and downloaded several images of child pornography from an Internet protocol (IP) address assigned to Wallace at his Ledyard residence. On May 28, 2010, law enforcement agents conducted a court-authorized search of Wallace’s residence and seized computers and hard drives. Forensic examination of the seized items revealed more than 500 images and videos of children, some as young as 5 years old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Wallace was arrested on December 16, 2010. He has been detained since March 13, 2013.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Milford Police Department. The Connecticut State Police and the Ledyard Police Department provided valuable assistance to the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Neeraj Patel and Ray Miller.
The Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes against children occurring over the Internet and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. For more information about the task force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, on January 19, 2010, a Milford Police detective assigned to the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force logged into a peer-to-peer Internet file sharing network and downloaded several images of child pornography from an Internet protocol (IP) address assigned to Wallace at his Ledyard residence. On May 28, 2010, law enforcement agents conducted a court-authorized search of Wallace’s residence and seized computers and hard drives. Forensic examination of the seized items revealed more than 500 images and videos of children, some as young as 5 years old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Wallace was arrested on December 16, 2010. He has been detained since March 13, 2013.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Milford Police Department. The Connecticut State Police and the Ledyard Police Department provided valuable assistance to the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Neeraj Patel and Ray Miller.
The Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes against children occurring over the Internet and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. For more information about the task force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Connection with Sexual Abuse of a Minor Investigation
Aaron T. Ford, special agent in charge of the Newark Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is seeking the public’s assistance in an effort to identify additional victims of an individual arrested and charged with the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo, but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13-years-old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo traveled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo traveled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
Individuals with information concerning Joseph Anthony Carraciolo are asked to contact the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information can also be provided to the nearest FBI field office or filed electronically at https://tips.fbi.gov.
On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo, but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13-years-old.
On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.
According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo traveled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo traveled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.
Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.
In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.
Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:
- A tattoo of ivy on his left finger
- A chef in a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef and an underlying quote on the forearm
- A cancer ribbon with boxing gloves on forearm.=
- The initials "AJ" on the inner left wrist
- The letter “M” on inner right wrist
- The initials "NY" on the left upper arm
- An “X” between the webbing of the thumb and index finger
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
NJ father charged with raping kids; ages 5 and 7
JERSEY CITY — A northern New Jersey father faces sexual
assault, child abuse and endangerment charges for allegedly raping his two girls
after they were returned to his custody from foster care.
The Jersey Journal reports that the 35-year-old Jersey City resident, whose name is being withheld to protect his daughters’ identities, began raping the girls when one was 5 and the other 7.
The attacks came to light this week after a therapist treating one of the girls notified New Jersey child protective services.
The newspaper cites court documents saying the girls, now 12 and 14, both reported being fondled and raped by their father for years since being returned to his custody from foster homes in 2006.
The father did not speak during a court appearance Thursday in Jersey City.
The Jersey Journal reports that the 35-year-old Jersey City resident, whose name is being withheld to protect his daughters’ identities, began raping the girls when one was 5 and the other 7.
The attacks came to light this week after a therapist treating one of the girls notified New Jersey child protective services.
The newspaper cites court documents saying the girls, now 12 and 14, both reported being fondled and raped by their father for years since being returned to his custody from foster homes in 2006.
The father did not speak during a court appearance Thursday in Jersey City.
Man charged in Monmouth County child sex sting
TRENTON — A Georgia man was charged Monday with illegal
sexual conduct and child pornography offenses after investigators say he
traveled from New York to Monmouth County last week to have sex with a minor,
according to the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
Richard J. Simone Jr., 23, of Acworth, Ga., who at the time was living in Long Island, was taken into custody on Friday in Monmouth County. The exact town was not revealed.
Simone was charged on Monday with one count of traveling across state lines for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and also with one count of distribution of child pornography, according to a statement issued by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.
According to the complaint, an undercover special agent of Homeland Security Investigations in the Department of Homeland Security began communicating with Simone over the Internet in July.
During July, August and September, Simone and the undercover agent “engaged in numerous, graphic communications over the Internet regarding Simone having sex with the undercover agent’s fictitious 9-year-old daughter and fictitious minor babysitter.”
During an online conversation in August, Simone sent nine images of child pornography to the undercover agent. On Friday, Simone was taken into custody at a location in Monmouth County where investigators said he had traveled to meet the undercover agent.
Simone made his initial court appearance Monday before Judge Lois H. Goodman. Simone remains in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday.
The charge of traveling with the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory five years, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The Asbury Park Press asked the Attorney General’s Office for a photo of the suspect, but they refused.
Richard J. Simone Jr., 23, of Acworth, Ga., who at the time was living in Long Island, was taken into custody on Friday in Monmouth County. The exact town was not revealed.
Simone was charged on Monday with one count of traveling across state lines for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and also with one count of distribution of child pornography, according to a statement issued by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.
According to the complaint, an undercover special agent of Homeland Security Investigations in the Department of Homeland Security began communicating with Simone over the Internet in July.
During July, August and September, Simone and the undercover agent “engaged in numerous, graphic communications over the Internet regarding Simone having sex with the undercover agent’s fictitious 9-year-old daughter and fictitious minor babysitter.”
During an online conversation in August, Simone sent nine images of child pornography to the undercover agent. On Friday, Simone was taken into custody at a location in Monmouth County where investigators said he had traveled to meet the undercover agent.
Simone made his initial court appearance Monday before Judge Lois H. Goodman. Simone remains in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday.
The charge of traveling with the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory five years, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The Asbury Park Press asked the Attorney General’s Office for a photo of the suspect, but they refused.
Greenwich Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges
ALBANY, NY—A grand jury returned an indictment charging Timothy Tefft, age 64, of Greenwich, New York, with three counts of possessing child pornography announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. Tefft faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count.
Tefft had his initial appearance and arraignment on the charges in Albany today before the Honorable Christian F. Hummel, United States Magistrate Judge. Tefft was detained pending his trial, which has been scheduled for November 18, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. before Chief United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe.
According to the indictment, between January 1, 2010 and May 3, 2011, Tefft possessed three thumb drives, each of which contained images of child pornography.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Tefft had his initial appearance and arraignment on the charges in Albany today before the Honorable Christian F. Hummel, United States Magistrate Judge. Tefft was detained pending his trial, which has been scheduled for November 18, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. before Chief United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe.
According to the indictment, between January 1, 2010 and May 3, 2011, Tefft possessed three thumb drives, each of which contained images of child pornography.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Monday, September 16, 2013
Coeur d’Alene Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Offense
COEUR D'ALENE—Brian Daniel Rowe, 28, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court to 33 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession of sexually explicit images of minors, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert H. Whaley also ordered Rowe to pay $1,500 in restitution to the victim. He pleaded guilty to the charge on May 29, 2013.
According to the plea agreement, Rowe admitted that in July 2012, he possessed a computer and a smart phone that contained more than 3,500 sexually explicit images of minors. When interviewed by investigators, Rowe admitted to downloading sexually explicit images of minors for years. Authorities were alerted to Rowe’s illegal behavior earlier in 2012, when they received information that Rowe was making child pornography available to others on an Internet peer-to-peer network. Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at Rowe’s residence and seized computers and his smart phone.
“Those who victimize children by possessing and distributing images of children being sexually abused will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted,” said Olson. “Yesterday’s sentence shows that those who sexually exploit our children will spend significant time in prison. I commend the cooperative federal, state, and local law enforcement effort that brought Brian Rowe to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, Meridian Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Secret Service. The agencies are members of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a statewide coalition of local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecution agencies focused on apprehending and prosecuting individuals who use the Internet to criminally exploit children. For more information about the Idaho ICAC Task Force and a list of participating agencies, visit www.icacidaho.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
According to the plea agreement, Rowe admitted that in July 2012, he possessed a computer and a smart phone that contained more than 3,500 sexually explicit images of minors. When interviewed by investigators, Rowe admitted to downloading sexually explicit images of minors for years. Authorities were alerted to Rowe’s illegal behavior earlier in 2012, when they received information that Rowe was making child pornography available to others on an Internet peer-to-peer network. Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at Rowe’s residence and seized computers and his smart phone.
“Those who victimize children by possessing and distributing images of children being sexually abused will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted,” said Olson. “Yesterday’s sentence shows that those who sexually exploit our children will spend significant time in prison. I commend the cooperative federal, state, and local law enforcement effort that brought Brian Rowe to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, Meridian Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Secret Service. The agencies are members of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a statewide coalition of local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecution agencies focused on apprehending and prosecuting individuals who use the Internet to criminally exploit children. For more information about the Idaho ICAC Task Force and a list of participating agencies, visit www.icacidaho.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Federal Jury Convicts Duluth Man of Sex Trafficking of a Child
MINNEAPOLIS—Late yesterday in federal court, a jury found a 33-year-old Duluth man guilty of the sex trafficking a child for approximately seven months last year. Following a four-day trial, the jury convicted Markeace Arque Canty on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child and one count of sex trafficking of a child. The jury acquitted Canty of one count of receipt of child pornography. Canty, also known as Quake, was indicted on May 7, 2013.
According to the indictment and the evidence presented at trial, from at least July 2012 through January 2013, Canty recruited and transported the female victim, who was under the age of 18 at the time, to engage in commercial sex acts, from which Canty benefitted financially. Canty purchased “escort” advertisements on the website backpage.com and transported the female victim to locations in Duluth, Minneapolis, Chicago, and elsewhere to meet advertisement responders at motels, where the victim engaged in sexual acts in exchange for money.
The jury heard evdience that on September 12, 2012, law enforcement in Indiana responded to an advertisement listing a phone number registered to Canty and arrested the female victim after she agreed to perform sex acts in exchange for money. The advertisement in that instance included a phone number registered to Canty.
Evidence was also presented about results of a search of Canty’s iPhone, which included texts that the prosecution argued coordinated times and amounts with respondents to the advertisements, as well as texts that the prosecution argued were between Canty and the victim in which she updated him on her illicit activities.
For his crimes, Canty faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on each of the sex trafficking counts, with a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years on the sex trafficking of a child count. United States District Judge Joan N. Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Duluth Police Department, with cooperation from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office; the Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Departments; the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office in North Dakota, the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Police Department, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and LeeAnn K. Bell.
Anyone who may have information about any human trafficking matter is encouraged to report that information to the FBI at 763-569-8000. For information about human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll-free hotline (1-888-373-7888) is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked within the U.S. alone each year.
For more information, visit http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking.
According to the indictment and the evidence presented at trial, from at least July 2012 through January 2013, Canty recruited and transported the female victim, who was under the age of 18 at the time, to engage in commercial sex acts, from which Canty benefitted financially. Canty purchased “escort” advertisements on the website backpage.com and transported the female victim to locations in Duluth, Minneapolis, Chicago, and elsewhere to meet advertisement responders at motels, where the victim engaged in sexual acts in exchange for money.
The jury heard evdience that on September 12, 2012, law enforcement in Indiana responded to an advertisement listing a phone number registered to Canty and arrested the female victim after she agreed to perform sex acts in exchange for money. The advertisement in that instance included a phone number registered to Canty.
Evidence was also presented about results of a search of Canty’s iPhone, which included texts that the prosecution argued coordinated times and amounts with respondents to the advertisements, as well as texts that the prosecution argued were between Canty and the victim in which she updated him on her illicit activities.
For his crimes, Canty faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on each of the sex trafficking counts, with a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years on the sex trafficking of a child count. United States District Judge Joan N. Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Duluth Police Department, with cooperation from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office; the Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Departments; the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office in North Dakota, the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Police Department, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and LeeAnn K. Bell.
Anyone who may have information about any human trafficking matter is encouraged to report that information to the FBI at 763-569-8000. For information about human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll-free hotline (1-888-373-7888) is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked within the U.S. alone each year.
For more information, visit http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking.
Multi-State Takedown Targeting National Cocaine Trafficking Organization Leads to Charges Against 12 Individuals
ATLANTA—Twelve members of a national cocaine trafficking organization have been charged in a large-scale investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation code-named Operation Holy Trap.
“Today’s takedown is another chapter in this office’s ongoing commitment to hold significant narco-traffickers to account and to dismantle their operations and infrastructure,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Our streets are safer with these serious offenders off them. The arrests also serve as a valuable reminder to those who might use their seemingly legitimate businesses to support narco-traffickers. You are not above the law. You will be prosecuted.”
Mark F. Giuliano, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, “While the import and distribution of dangerous drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin continue to be carried out by highly organized criminal enterprises covering large territories within the U.S., law enforcement continues to go after these groups in an equally organized manner as demonstrated by the David G. Wilhelm Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force [OCDETF] Strike Force, based in Atlanta. The FBI, as part of this federally led group of local, state, and other federal investigators and analytical staff, brings forward its expertise in helping dismantle these criminal enterprises and seizing their assets. The indictments and arrests resulting from Operation Holy Trap are a result of many months of hard work by this dedicated Strike Force and required much coordination with other law enforcement entities in other states. The cocaine distribution in this case was extensive, and the money generated by this group is an indicator as to how active and established this group was in the U.S. The fight to keep our communities safe from this corrosive criminal influence continues, and the FBI remains a committed and steadfast partner in this effort.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: For over 18 months, the FBI has been investigating a drug trafficking organization with ties to Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and Louisiana.
The organization is alleged to have been overseen by Edwin Rivera, a/k/a "Neno," a/k/a "Nano" (Rivera), a Boston-based drug dealer who used vehicles outfitted with hydraulic concealed compartment (or traps) to smuggle multiple kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the United States. Rivera employed Hector Ramon DeJesus, who operated a seemingly legitimate auto shop in Atlanta, to install the traps in the load vehicles. Juan Manuel Santana Baez, a/k/a "Robin," worked with and for DeJesus in the trap business, including on vehicles used by Rivera.
Rivera is alleged to have used a syndicate of couriers to transport the organization’s drugs and drug proceeds, including Pedro Angel Morales, a/k/a "Tito"; Glenny Difo; Militza Negron; Jose Ramon Medina Bravo, a/k/a “Lynx"; Jose M. Vellon Rios, a/k/a Javier Luis R Mercado; Jennifer Medina; and Alex Jonathan Tejada Avelino, a/k/a “Jonathan.” Maximo Stiven Bernabel Pena, a/k/a “Pablo,” and Freddy Pena also were members of Rivera’s cocaine trafficking organization.
To date, investigators have seized over 70 kilograms of cocaine and approximately $1,000,000 in drug proceeds.
On July 9, 2013, a federal grand jury in Atlanta returned a five-count indictment charging the following individuals with various drug offenses, including conspiring to traffick over five kilograms of cocaine and substantive drug trafficking charges:
On September 12, 2013, initial searches and arrests were conducted in connection with an unsealed indictment and criminal complaint. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers fanned out across Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Orlando and Tamarac, Florida, to seek to arrest the charged defendants. The takedown, which is ongoing, so far has ensnared nine defendants. Over the next two days, initial appearances are scheduled to occur in this District, as well as in the Middle District of Florida and District of Massachusetts.
The investigation of the case was led by FBI agents from the David G. Wilhelm OCDETF-Atlanta Strike Force, which consists of federal, state, and local drug officers and focuses on dismantling international drug organizations operating in the United States. The investigation also included participation from the Strike Force members: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Lawrenceville Police, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Police, and Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, the charged defendants face a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, as well as fines of over $10 million dollars.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment and criminal compliant contain only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Scott Ferber and C. Brock Brockington are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.Pressemails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
“Today’s takedown is another chapter in this office’s ongoing commitment to hold significant narco-traffickers to account and to dismantle their operations and infrastructure,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Our streets are safer with these serious offenders off them. The arrests also serve as a valuable reminder to those who might use their seemingly legitimate businesses to support narco-traffickers. You are not above the law. You will be prosecuted.”
Mark F. Giuliano, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, “While the import and distribution of dangerous drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin continue to be carried out by highly organized criminal enterprises covering large territories within the U.S., law enforcement continues to go after these groups in an equally organized manner as demonstrated by the David G. Wilhelm Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force [OCDETF] Strike Force, based in Atlanta. The FBI, as part of this federally led group of local, state, and other federal investigators and analytical staff, brings forward its expertise in helping dismantle these criminal enterprises and seizing their assets. The indictments and arrests resulting from Operation Holy Trap are a result of many months of hard work by this dedicated Strike Force and required much coordination with other law enforcement entities in other states. The cocaine distribution in this case was extensive, and the money generated by this group is an indicator as to how active and established this group was in the U.S. The fight to keep our communities safe from this corrosive criminal influence continues, and the FBI remains a committed and steadfast partner in this effort.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: For over 18 months, the FBI has been investigating a drug trafficking organization with ties to Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and Louisiana.
The organization is alleged to have been overseen by Edwin Rivera, a/k/a "Neno," a/k/a "Nano" (Rivera), a Boston-based drug dealer who used vehicles outfitted with hydraulic concealed compartment (or traps) to smuggle multiple kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the United States. Rivera employed Hector Ramon DeJesus, who operated a seemingly legitimate auto shop in Atlanta, to install the traps in the load vehicles. Juan Manuel Santana Baez, a/k/a "Robin," worked with and for DeJesus in the trap business, including on vehicles used by Rivera.
Rivera is alleged to have used a syndicate of couriers to transport the organization’s drugs and drug proceeds, including Pedro Angel Morales, a/k/a "Tito"; Glenny Difo; Militza Negron; Jose Ramon Medina Bravo, a/k/a “Lynx"; Jose M. Vellon Rios, a/k/a Javier Luis R Mercado; Jennifer Medina; and Alex Jonathan Tejada Avelino, a/k/a “Jonathan.” Maximo Stiven Bernabel Pena, a/k/a “Pablo,” and Freddy Pena also were members of Rivera’s cocaine trafficking organization.
To date, investigators have seized over 70 kilograms of cocaine and approximately $1,000,000 in drug proceeds.
On July 9, 2013, a federal grand jury in Atlanta returned a five-count indictment charging the following individuals with various drug offenses, including conspiring to traffick over five kilograms of cocaine and substantive drug trafficking charges:
- Edwin Rivera, a/k/a “Neno,” a/k/a “Nano,” 43, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts
- Maximo Stiven Bernabel Pena, a/k/a “Pablo,” 23, of Roxbury, Massachusetts
- Juan Manuel Santana Baez, a/k/a “Robin,” 38, of Duluth, Georgia
- Glenny Difo, 37, of Orlando, Florida
- Militza Negron, 41, of Orlando, Florida
- Jose Ramon Medina Bravo, a/k/a “Lynx,” 28, of Tamarac, Florida
- Jose M. Vellon Rios, a/k/a Javier Luis R Mercado, 32, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania
- Jennifer Medina, 31, of Gretna, Louisiana
- Alex Jonathan Tejada Avelino, a/k/a “Jonathan,” 30, of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
- Freddy Pena, 24, of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
- Pedro Angel Morales, a/k/a “Tito,” 49, of Springfield, Massachusetts
On September 12, 2013, initial searches and arrests were conducted in connection with an unsealed indictment and criminal complaint. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers fanned out across Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Orlando and Tamarac, Florida, to seek to arrest the charged defendants. The takedown, which is ongoing, so far has ensnared nine defendants. Over the next two days, initial appearances are scheduled to occur in this District, as well as in the Middle District of Florida and District of Massachusetts.
The investigation of the case was led by FBI agents from the David G. Wilhelm OCDETF-Atlanta Strike Force, which consists of federal, state, and local drug officers and focuses on dismantling international drug organizations operating in the United States. The investigation also included participation from the Strike Force members: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Lawrenceville Police, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Police, and Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, the charged defendants face a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, as well as fines of over $10 million dollars.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment and criminal compliant contain only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Scott Ferber and C. Brock Brockington are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.Pressemails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Former Navy Reservist Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Multiple Minors to Produce Child Pornography
WASHINGTON—Anthony K. Mastrogiovanni, 30, of Crofton, Maryland, was sentenced today to serve 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting more than 30 male juveniles—ranging from 9 to 16 years of age—in Maryland and Louisiana to produce child pornography.
The sentence was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Postal Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division.
Mastrogiovanni was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz in the District of Maryland. In additional to his prison term, Mastrogiovanni was sentenced to serve lifetime supervised release.
On May 29, 2013, Mastrogiovanni pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of minors to produce child pornography.
According to court documents and proceedings, between 2006 and 2012, Mastrogiovanni, a U.S. Navy reservist, met and befriended his victims through his involvement in civic organizations or his military affiliation. Mastrogiovanni captured sexually explicit video of the victims on cameras hidden in his residences in Louisiana and Maryland.
Mastrogiovanni has been in federal custody since he was arrested by inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Las Vegas on July 19, 2012. A search of his Las Vegas hotel room recovered external hard drives containing over 30,000 images of child pornography, including video of his juvenile victims. That same day, federal agents searched Mastrogiovanni’s apartment in Crofton, where they discovered a hidden video camera and video transmitting equipment, as well as digital media containing additional child pornography.
As part of his plea agreement, Mastrogiovanni will be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and FBI’s Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Keith A. Becker of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham of the District of Maryland.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The sentence was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Postal Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Washington Division.
Mastrogiovanni was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz in the District of Maryland. In additional to his prison term, Mastrogiovanni was sentenced to serve lifetime supervised release.
On May 29, 2013, Mastrogiovanni pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of minors to produce child pornography.
According to court documents and proceedings, between 2006 and 2012, Mastrogiovanni, a U.S. Navy reservist, met and befriended his victims through his involvement in civic organizations or his military affiliation. Mastrogiovanni captured sexually explicit video of the victims on cameras hidden in his residences in Louisiana and Maryland.
Mastrogiovanni has been in federal custody since he was arrested by inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Las Vegas on July 19, 2012. A search of his Las Vegas hotel room recovered external hard drives containing over 30,000 images of child pornography, including video of his juvenile victims. That same day, federal agents searched Mastrogiovanni’s apartment in Crofton, where they discovered a hidden video camera and video transmitting equipment, as well as digital media containing additional child pornography.
As part of his plea agreement, Mastrogiovanni will be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and FBI’s Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Keith A. Becker of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham of the District of Maryland.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Wyoming County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession of a Destructive Device
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Wyoming County man was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Richard P. Conaboy to serve 60 months in prison on the charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of a destructive device.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Joseph Keller, age 28, formerly of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, admitted to using a computer to download and distribute images of child pornography in 2011 and to possessing an unregistered homemade destructive device.
In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Conaboy also ordered that Keller be supervised by a probation officer for 20 years following his prison sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Joseph Keller, age 28, formerly of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, admitted to using a computer to download and distribute images of child pornography in 2011 and to possessing an unregistered homemade destructive device.
In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Conaboy also ordered that Keller be supervised by a probation officer for 20 years following his prison sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.
Navajo Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a Child in San Ildefonso Pueblo
ALBUQUERQUE—Samuel Billy, 49, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in El Rancho, New Mexico, which is located in San Ildefonso Pueblo, pleaded guilty this morning to a child sexual abuse charge. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Billy will be sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Billy will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.
Billy’s guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough and Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI.
Billy was arrested on January 7, 2013, based on a criminal complaint alleging that he sexually abused a child less than 12 years old in early November 2012. According to the complaint, Billy sexually abused the child victim, who was left in his care, in his residence in San Ildefonso Pueblo on at least two occasions. Billy subsequently was charged in a four-count superseding indictment with three counts of aggravated child sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact. The indictment alleged that Billy sexually abused the child victim on four separate occasions between November 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, in a location within San Ildefonso Pueblo.
This morning, Billy pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with sexual abuse and admitted touching the child victim’s genitals while the victim was sleeping and incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct.
Billy has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. The charges in the superseding indictment will be dismissed after Billy has been sentenced.
This case was investigated by the Santa Fe Office of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Billy’s guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough and Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI.
Billy was arrested on January 7, 2013, based on a criminal complaint alleging that he sexually abused a child less than 12 years old in early November 2012. According to the complaint, Billy sexually abused the child victim, who was left in his care, in his residence in San Ildefonso Pueblo on at least two occasions. Billy subsequently was charged in a four-count superseding indictment with three counts of aggravated child sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact. The indictment alleged that Billy sexually abused the child victim on four separate occasions between November 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, in a location within San Ildefonso Pueblo.
This morning, Billy pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with sexual abuse and admitted touching the child victim’s genitals while the victim was sleeping and incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct.
Billy has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. The charges in the superseding indictment will be dismissed after Billy has been sentenced.
This case was investigated by the Santa Fe Office of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Lebanon Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Coercing a Minor to Become a Sex Slave
KANSAS CITY, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lebanon, Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for using the Internet to groom and entice a minor girl into illegal sexual conduct that led to years of sadomasochistic abuse, and two of his customers were sentenced for their roles in the sex trafficking conspiracy.
“This courageous young woman, who confronted her tormentors in court today, is getting justice for the horrific suffering and enslavement she endured at the hands of these sexual sadists,” Dickinson said. “Today’s tough sentences should erase any lingering perception that the brutal sexual torture inflicted on this young victim was in any way consensual. Now the tables are turned, as she continues her healing process while they are confined in prison for many years to come.”
Edward Bagley, Sr., also known as “Master Ed,” 46, of Lebanon, Bradley Cook, also known as "PutHer2GoodUse," 34, of Kirkwood, Missouri, and Dennis Henry, 53, of Wheatland, Missouri, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple. Bagley was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Cook was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Henry was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
The court also ordered that $738,250 in total restitution must be paid to the victim. Each defendant is individually liable for $123,041, or one-sixth of the total amount. As part of the agreement obtained by the government, Cook was required to pay $123,041 in restitution at the time of his sentencing.
Following their prison terms, Bagley, Cook, and Henry will be on supervised release for the rest of their lives. Among the terms of supervision ordered by the court, they must adhere to a 10:30 p.m. curfew and are prohibited from any contact with the victim, the government’s attorneys, and the agents involved in the case.
Bagley, Cook, and Henry are among six co-defendants who pleaded guilty in this case. The remaining three co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, September 12, 2013. This case marked the first time nationwide that the customers, or “Johns,” have been convicted under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in a sex trafficking case in which the victim was an adult. This is also the first human trafficking conviction in which the customers were prosecuted in a case that involved an actual victim rather than an undercover sting operation.
On January 15, 2013, Bagley pleaded guilty to enticing a minor into illegal sexual conduct and prostitution. Bagley met the female victim (identified in court documents as FV) in 2002, when she was 16 years old and dating his teenage son. FV visited his trailer residence in Lebanon on numerous occasions. During FV’s visits to Bagley’s residence, he showed her images and videos of pornography on the Internet and downloaded from the Internet, including images and videos of bondage and sadomasochistic conduct. Bagley admitted that he provided FV with controlled substances. He taught her about bondage and sadomasochistic activities. His wife, co-defendant Marilyn Bagley, 48, modeled stripper and bondage clothing for FV. The Bagleys told FV that she would love being a “slave” for him. Bagley began a sexual relationship with FV prior to her 17th birthday.
FV viewed Edward Bagley as her boyfriend and moved into the Bagleys’ residence in 2003. They provided FV her own room and clothes and promised her a great life.
Over the course of the next six years, Edward Bagley executed sadistic acts of torture on FV, including sewing her vagina closed, whipping and flogging her body, penetrating her breasts with needles and skewers, suffocating her with plastic bags, strangling her with rope, locking her in a dog cage, and electrocuting FV’s sexual organs with devices which produced electrical voltage. Edward Bagley photographed and videotaped many of the acts he performed on her. FV would be punished if she did not do as instructed.
Cook pleaded guilty on December 20, 2011, to participating in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. From 2006 to 2009, Cook watched the victim being sexually abused and tortured in live online sessions and as depicted in photos and videos that he downloaded from the Internet. Cook admitted that he traveled to Lebanon on multiple occasions during that time to engage in sessions of sexual acts and torture with the victim. In exchange, Cook paid the victim's "master" for these sessions with such items as computer hard drives that contained images and videos of bondage, domination, sadism and masochism, which he had downloaded from the Internet.
Cook also admitted he was aware of other men who engaged in sexual acts and torture with the victim. He witnessed the victim being whipped and locked in a dog cage, as well as being tied up and shocked with multiple electrical devices. Cook described the abuse suffered by the victim as the "most extreme" he had ever seen.
Henry, formerly the postmaster of Nevada, Missouri, pleaded guilty on March 24, 2011, to participating in the conspiracy. Henry also pleaded guilty to transporting the victim across state lines for sexual activity.
Henry admitted that he engaged in sex with the victim and participated in torture sessions with FV that would last for hours. Henry saw pictures of FV's vagina sewn shut, which he was told was a form of punishment. Henry also admitted that he visited FV at a Lebanon strip club where she was forced to work.
Marilyn Bagley pleaded guilty on December 6, 2012, to her role in the conspiracy. Marilyn Bagley admittedly knew that other individuals came to the residence to engage in sexual conduct and sadistic acts on FV. They provided bondage pornography, meat, cigarettes, and cash, among other items, in exchange for the sessions involving sexual conduct and sadistic acts on FV.
Under the terms of her binding plea agreement, Marilyn Bagley will receive a sentence of probation. The government stated in court that Marilyn Bagley is considered in a separate category from the other defendants in this case because she was a victim of extensive physical and emotional abuse for over 25 years prior to her criminal conduct and participation in the conspiracy. Her participation in the criminal conduct resulted in the abuse being redirected away from her and to the victim.
Co-defendant Michael Stokes, also known as “The Rodent,” 65, of Lebanon, pleaded guilty on January 5, 2012, to participating in the conspiracy.
Stokes became familiar with FV in 2006 when he received pictures of her over the Internet in which she was naked with whip marks over her body. Stokes was told that the victim was a slave for “life” who was tortured for hours at a time and was required to do “everything and anything” she was told. After a few weeks of chatting online, the plea agreement says, a co-conspirator brought the victim to Stokes’ house so she could do a “demo” for him. When they arrived at Stokes’ residence, bringing a duffle bag of torture devices with them, FV was instructed to “put on a show for us.” FV was naked, wearing only dog collars and ankle collars with locks. Stokes was asked whether he wanted to have sex with her. Stokes said “yes,” and he had sex with FV.
Stokes was stunned that “someone had that much control over someone” and “had never seen anything like it.”
Stokes began visiting the residence where FV was being held. During his first visit, he was shown a photo of FV’s vaginal opening sewn shut and told this was done to demonstrate “what was expected of her.” FV was present for these statements and remained silent. FV never talked back or spoke up. FV never offered herself to Stokes and only acted on command.
Stokes visited the residence eight to 12 times. During these visits, he would receive sexual acts or be allowed to watch or participate in torturing FV. When he visited, he brought steaks, hamburgers, jackets, personalized playing cards, lighters, cigarettes, and cash. Among other things, he witnessed FV being tortured with a crank phone, with electricity shot through devices clamped to her vaginal and anal openings.
Stokes began assisting in promoting FV at the strip clubs. Stokes took photos of FV around to the clubs to promote her there. Stokes gave $1,000 so that FV could be taken for a sexual bondage photo shoot in California for Taboo magazine. Stokes then took a copy of the magazine to promote her at the clubs. The photos in Taboo magazine were extremely mild and did not depict any of the cruel sessions Stokes had witnessed at the residence.
In 2009, Stokes was warned that there was an FBI investigation involving his conduct with FV. Stokes went on his computer and deleted hundreds of photos, his contacts with other females online, and pictures of FV that he saved, and he destroyed his copies of Taboo magazine and the sexual devices that he had acquired.
Under federal statutes, Stokes is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.
Co-defendant James Noel, 47, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2011, to participating in the conspiracy. Noel admitted that he was one of the customers who sexually abused and tortured FV. Noel watched the victim being tortured and sometimes operated torture devices himself beginning in 2006, when she was approximately 20 years old. For example, Noel knew that FV hated being electrocuted with a crank phone (which was wired inside FV's vaginal and anal openings and to her toes), which he described as "extremely painful," but he used it on her anyway.
Under federal statutes, Noel is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cynthia L. Cordes, Paul Becker, and John Cowles with assistance from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. It was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available online at http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/index.html.
“This courageous young woman, who confronted her tormentors in court today, is getting justice for the horrific suffering and enslavement she endured at the hands of these sexual sadists,” Dickinson said. “Today’s tough sentences should erase any lingering perception that the brutal sexual torture inflicted on this young victim was in any way consensual. Now the tables are turned, as she continues her healing process while they are confined in prison for many years to come.”
Edward Bagley, Sr., also known as “Master Ed,” 46, of Lebanon, Bradley Cook, also known as "PutHer2GoodUse," 34, of Kirkwood, Missouri, and Dennis Henry, 53, of Wheatland, Missouri, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple. Bagley was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Cook was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Henry was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
The court also ordered that $738,250 in total restitution must be paid to the victim. Each defendant is individually liable for $123,041, or one-sixth of the total amount. As part of the agreement obtained by the government, Cook was required to pay $123,041 in restitution at the time of his sentencing.
Following their prison terms, Bagley, Cook, and Henry will be on supervised release for the rest of their lives. Among the terms of supervision ordered by the court, they must adhere to a 10:30 p.m. curfew and are prohibited from any contact with the victim, the government’s attorneys, and the agents involved in the case.
Bagley, Cook, and Henry are among six co-defendants who pleaded guilty in this case. The remaining three co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, September 12, 2013. This case marked the first time nationwide that the customers, or “Johns,” have been convicted under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in a sex trafficking case in which the victim was an adult. This is also the first human trafficking conviction in which the customers were prosecuted in a case that involved an actual victim rather than an undercover sting operation.
On January 15, 2013, Bagley pleaded guilty to enticing a minor into illegal sexual conduct and prostitution. Bagley met the female victim (identified in court documents as FV) in 2002, when she was 16 years old and dating his teenage son. FV visited his trailer residence in Lebanon on numerous occasions. During FV’s visits to Bagley’s residence, he showed her images and videos of pornography on the Internet and downloaded from the Internet, including images and videos of bondage and sadomasochistic conduct. Bagley admitted that he provided FV with controlled substances. He taught her about bondage and sadomasochistic activities. His wife, co-defendant Marilyn Bagley, 48, modeled stripper and bondage clothing for FV. The Bagleys told FV that she would love being a “slave” for him. Bagley began a sexual relationship with FV prior to her 17th birthday.
FV viewed Edward Bagley as her boyfriend and moved into the Bagleys’ residence in 2003. They provided FV her own room and clothes and promised her a great life.
Over the course of the next six years, Edward Bagley executed sadistic acts of torture on FV, including sewing her vagina closed, whipping and flogging her body, penetrating her breasts with needles and skewers, suffocating her with plastic bags, strangling her with rope, locking her in a dog cage, and electrocuting FV’s sexual organs with devices which produced electrical voltage. Edward Bagley photographed and videotaped many of the acts he performed on her. FV would be punished if she did not do as instructed.
Cook pleaded guilty on December 20, 2011, to participating in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. From 2006 to 2009, Cook watched the victim being sexually abused and tortured in live online sessions and as depicted in photos and videos that he downloaded from the Internet. Cook admitted that he traveled to Lebanon on multiple occasions during that time to engage in sessions of sexual acts and torture with the victim. In exchange, Cook paid the victim's "master" for these sessions with such items as computer hard drives that contained images and videos of bondage, domination, sadism and masochism, which he had downloaded from the Internet.
Cook also admitted he was aware of other men who engaged in sexual acts and torture with the victim. He witnessed the victim being whipped and locked in a dog cage, as well as being tied up and shocked with multiple electrical devices. Cook described the abuse suffered by the victim as the "most extreme" he had ever seen.
Henry, formerly the postmaster of Nevada, Missouri, pleaded guilty on March 24, 2011, to participating in the conspiracy. Henry also pleaded guilty to transporting the victim across state lines for sexual activity.
Henry admitted that he engaged in sex with the victim and participated in torture sessions with FV that would last for hours. Henry saw pictures of FV's vagina sewn shut, which he was told was a form of punishment. Henry also admitted that he visited FV at a Lebanon strip club where she was forced to work.
Marilyn Bagley pleaded guilty on December 6, 2012, to her role in the conspiracy. Marilyn Bagley admittedly knew that other individuals came to the residence to engage in sexual conduct and sadistic acts on FV. They provided bondage pornography, meat, cigarettes, and cash, among other items, in exchange for the sessions involving sexual conduct and sadistic acts on FV.
Under the terms of her binding plea agreement, Marilyn Bagley will receive a sentence of probation. The government stated in court that Marilyn Bagley is considered in a separate category from the other defendants in this case because she was a victim of extensive physical and emotional abuse for over 25 years prior to her criminal conduct and participation in the conspiracy. Her participation in the criminal conduct resulted in the abuse being redirected away from her and to the victim.
Co-defendant Michael Stokes, also known as “The Rodent,” 65, of Lebanon, pleaded guilty on January 5, 2012, to participating in the conspiracy.
Stokes became familiar with FV in 2006 when he received pictures of her over the Internet in which she was naked with whip marks over her body. Stokes was told that the victim was a slave for “life” who was tortured for hours at a time and was required to do “everything and anything” she was told. After a few weeks of chatting online, the plea agreement says, a co-conspirator brought the victim to Stokes’ house so she could do a “demo” for him. When they arrived at Stokes’ residence, bringing a duffle bag of torture devices with them, FV was instructed to “put on a show for us.” FV was naked, wearing only dog collars and ankle collars with locks. Stokes was asked whether he wanted to have sex with her. Stokes said “yes,” and he had sex with FV.
Stokes was stunned that “someone had that much control over someone” and “had never seen anything like it.”
Stokes began visiting the residence where FV was being held. During his first visit, he was shown a photo of FV’s vaginal opening sewn shut and told this was done to demonstrate “what was expected of her.” FV was present for these statements and remained silent. FV never talked back or spoke up. FV never offered herself to Stokes and only acted on command.
Stokes visited the residence eight to 12 times. During these visits, he would receive sexual acts or be allowed to watch or participate in torturing FV. When he visited, he brought steaks, hamburgers, jackets, personalized playing cards, lighters, cigarettes, and cash. Among other things, he witnessed FV being tortured with a crank phone, with electricity shot through devices clamped to her vaginal and anal openings.
Stokes began assisting in promoting FV at the strip clubs. Stokes took photos of FV around to the clubs to promote her there. Stokes gave $1,000 so that FV could be taken for a sexual bondage photo shoot in California for Taboo magazine. Stokes then took a copy of the magazine to promote her at the clubs. The photos in Taboo magazine were extremely mild and did not depict any of the cruel sessions Stokes had witnessed at the residence.
In 2009, Stokes was warned that there was an FBI investigation involving his conduct with FV. Stokes went on his computer and deleted hundreds of photos, his contacts with other females online, and pictures of FV that he saved, and he destroyed his copies of Taboo magazine and the sexual devices that he had acquired.
Under federal statutes, Stokes is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.
Co-defendant James Noel, 47, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2011, to participating in the conspiracy. Noel admitted that he was one of the customers who sexually abused and tortured FV. Noel watched the victim being tortured and sometimes operated torture devices himself beginning in 2006, when she was approximately 20 years old. For example, Noel knew that FV hated being electrocuted with a crank phone (which was wired inside FV's vaginal and anal openings and to her toes), which he described as "extremely painful," but he used it on her anyway.
Under federal statutes, Noel is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cynthia L. Cordes, Paul Becker, and John Cowles with assistance from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. It was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available online at http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/index.html.
Former School Committee Member and Boy Scout Leader Sentenced on Charges of Child Sexual Exploitation
BOSTON—A Whitinsville lawyer who was also a Boy Scout troop leader and part-time middle school instructor was sentenced to 18 years in prison on child pornography charges.
On September 9, in U.S. District Court in Worcester, Judge Timothy S. Hillman sentenced Andrew Jonathan Myers, 34, to 220 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. On June 12, 2013, Myers pleaded guilty to four counts of using the Internet to entice, persuade, or induce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and possessing child pornography. Pursuant to a plea agreement with the government, Myers faced a possible sentence of between 15 and 21 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.
Between July 13 and July 23, 2012, Myers communicated with a 12-year-old Colorado boy, identified as Juvenile Victim #1 (JV-1), over the Internet, first via e-mail and then through the web video service Skype. During the course of the communications with JV-1, Myers told JV-1 that he was attractive, directed JV-1 to websites where child pornography could be found, and offered to “find” JV-1 “a place to sleep” if he came to Massachusetts. Throughout the communications, Myers repeatedly solicited JV-1 to take off his clothes and masturbate over the Skype video streaming service.
On May 7, May 9, and June 28, 2012, Myers sent sexually explicit e-mails to three minors, identified as JV-2 (age 13), JV-3 (age 11), and JV-4 (age 14), in which he proposed to perform oral sex on the minors. Myers had served as a substitute school teacher for JV-2 and JV-3 and had been the troop leader for JV-4’s scout troop.
A computer and an external hard drive seized from Myers’ residence at the time of his arrest contained in excess of 600 videos depicting child pornography, including an electronic video recording of a Skype video chat between Myers and a minor identified as JV-5, a 13-year-old South Carolina resident, in which JV-5 is depicted engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; District Attorney Joseph Early of Worcester County; Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Chief Walter J. Worhol of the Northbridge Police Department; and Chief Kenny Powell of the Millbury Police Department, made the announcement.
This was a joint investigation that was initiated by the Larimer County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office, which discovered Myers’ alleged conduct and provided the information that led to both Myers’ identification and these federal charges. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady of Ortiz’s Worcester Office.
On September 9, in U.S. District Court in Worcester, Judge Timothy S. Hillman sentenced Andrew Jonathan Myers, 34, to 220 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. On June 12, 2013, Myers pleaded guilty to four counts of using the Internet to entice, persuade, or induce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and possessing child pornography. Pursuant to a plea agreement with the government, Myers faced a possible sentence of between 15 and 21 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.
Between July 13 and July 23, 2012, Myers communicated with a 12-year-old Colorado boy, identified as Juvenile Victim #1 (JV-1), over the Internet, first via e-mail and then through the web video service Skype. During the course of the communications with JV-1, Myers told JV-1 that he was attractive, directed JV-1 to websites where child pornography could be found, and offered to “find” JV-1 “a place to sleep” if he came to Massachusetts. Throughout the communications, Myers repeatedly solicited JV-1 to take off his clothes and masturbate over the Skype video streaming service.
On May 7, May 9, and June 28, 2012, Myers sent sexually explicit e-mails to three minors, identified as JV-2 (age 13), JV-3 (age 11), and JV-4 (age 14), in which he proposed to perform oral sex on the minors. Myers had served as a substitute school teacher for JV-2 and JV-3 and had been the troop leader for JV-4’s scout troop.
A computer and an external hard drive seized from Myers’ residence at the time of his arrest contained in excess of 600 videos depicting child pornography, including an electronic video recording of a Skype video chat between Myers and a minor identified as JV-5, a 13-year-old South Carolina resident, in which JV-5 is depicted engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; District Attorney Joseph Early of Worcester County; Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Chief Walter J. Worhol of the Northbridge Police Department; and Chief Kenny Powell of the Millbury Police Department, made the announcement.
This was a joint investigation that was initiated by the Larimer County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office, which discovered Myers’ alleged conduct and provided the information that led to both Myers’ identification and these federal charges. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady of Ortiz’s Worcester Office.
Air Force NCO Indicted for Sexually Exploiting Toddlers and Children to Produce Child Pornography
GREENBELT, MD—A federal grand jury indicted William S. Gazafi, age 44, of Lusby, Maryland, yesterday on six counts of sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Brigadier General Kevin J. Jacobsen, Commander Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on August 15, 2013, Gazafi engaged in a chat on a website dedicated to incest discussions with an undercover officer. During the chat, Gazafi discussed his sexual interest in children and advised that he had been drugging and molesting several children, including an infant. During the chat, Gazafi allegedly sent seven images to the undercover officer, three of which were child pornography he claimed he created. The FBI identified Gazafi, and he was arrested carrying multiple digital media items. A forensic examination of those items revealed videos and images that Gazafi produced of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These images and videos included one child as young as 5 months old. The images also depict children bound and handcuffed while sleeping. Gazafi is a non-commissioned U.S. Air Force officer working at Andrews Air Force Base.
Gazafi faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison followed by up to lifetime of supervised release. Gafazi was arrested on the criminal complaint on September 3, 2013, and remains detained. Gazafi is expected to have his initial appearance on the indictment in federal court in Greenbelt early next week.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Air Force Office of Special Investigations,Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney LisaMarie Freitas of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation, and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sullivan, who are prosecuting the case.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Brigadier General Kevin J. Jacobsen, Commander Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on August 15, 2013, Gazafi engaged in a chat on a website dedicated to incest discussions with an undercover officer. During the chat, Gazafi discussed his sexual interest in children and advised that he had been drugging and molesting several children, including an infant. During the chat, Gazafi allegedly sent seven images to the undercover officer, three of which were child pornography he claimed he created. The FBI identified Gazafi, and he was arrested carrying multiple digital media items. A forensic examination of those items revealed videos and images that Gazafi produced of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These images and videos included one child as young as 5 months old. The images also depict children bound and handcuffed while sleeping. Gazafi is a non-commissioned U.S. Air Force officer working at Andrews Air Force Base.
Gazafi faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison followed by up to lifetime of supervised release. Gafazi was arrested on the criminal complaint on September 3, 2013, and remains detained. Gazafi is expected to have his initial appearance on the indictment in federal court in Greenbelt early next week.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Air Force Office of Special Investigations,Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney LisaMarie Freitas of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation, and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sullivan, who are prosecuting the case.
Two Chicago-Area Men, Both Charged with Manufacturing Child Pornography, Arrested in Separate, Unrelated Federal Cases
CHICAGO―Two Chicago-area men have been arrested on separate, unrelated federal charges alleging that they manufactured child pornography, federal law enforcement officials announced today.
In one case, John Gabriel, 77, of Joliet, was arrested early today at his home without incident by FBI agents. Gabriel was charged with one count of manufacturing child pornography and one count of obstruction of justice in a two-count federal grand jury indictment that was returned yesterday and unsealed upon his arrest. Gabriel pleaded not guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown in federal court in Chicago, and he remains in custody pending a detention hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
In the second case, Mark Barreto, 35, of Elmwood Park and formerly of Chicago, was arrested yesterday at his home without incident by U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents. Barreto was charged with two counts of manufacturing child pornography, three counts of transporting child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography in a six-count federal grand jury indictment that was returned on Tuesday. Barreto pleaded not guilty today before U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras, and he remain in custody pending a detention hearing next week.
Manufacturing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced the Gabriel case with Robert J. Shields, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Barreto case with Tony Gómez, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago.
In the Gabriel case, the indictment alleges that he manufactured child pornography with a minor female in July 2012 in Will County. The obstruction count alleges that Gabriel destroyed computer files when FBI agents executed a search warrant his residence on August 14, 2012.
The Gabriel investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force is part of a nationwide effort known as the Innocence Lost National Initiative targeting those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. In Chicago, the CETF is composed of FBI special agents and representatives from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
In the Barreto case, the indictment alleges that he manufactured child pornography with two different minor females, one from February through July 2012 and the other in June and July 2012. It further alleges that he transported images depicting child pornography on dates in April and July 2012 and that he possessed child pornography on his computer when postal inspectors executed a search warrant at his residence in Chicago last October.
The Barreto investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, together with the Bolingbrook and Naperville Police Departments and the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.
In addition to the penalties for manufacturing child pornography, if convicted, Gabriel also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for obstruction of justice. Barreto, if convicted, also faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count of transporting child pornography, and possessing child pornography carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Both defendants also face a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In one case, John Gabriel, 77, of Joliet, was arrested early today at his home without incident by FBI agents. Gabriel was charged with one count of manufacturing child pornography and one count of obstruction of justice in a two-count federal grand jury indictment that was returned yesterday and unsealed upon his arrest. Gabriel pleaded not guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown in federal court in Chicago, and he remains in custody pending a detention hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
In the second case, Mark Barreto, 35, of Elmwood Park and formerly of Chicago, was arrested yesterday at his home without incident by U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents. Barreto was charged with two counts of manufacturing child pornography, three counts of transporting child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography in a six-count federal grand jury indictment that was returned on Tuesday. Barreto pleaded not guilty today before U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras, and he remain in custody pending a detention hearing next week.
Manufacturing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced the Gabriel case with Robert J. Shields, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Barreto case with Tony Gómez, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago.
In the Gabriel case, the indictment alleges that he manufactured child pornography with a minor female in July 2012 in Will County. The obstruction count alleges that Gabriel destroyed computer files when FBI agents executed a search warrant his residence on August 14, 2012.
The Gabriel investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force is part of a nationwide effort known as the Innocence Lost National Initiative targeting those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. In Chicago, the CETF is composed of FBI special agents and representatives from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
In the Barreto case, the indictment alleges that he manufactured child pornography with two different minor females, one from February through July 2012 and the other in June and July 2012. It further alleges that he transported images depicting child pornography on dates in April and July 2012 and that he possessed child pornography on his computer when postal inspectors executed a search warrant at his residence in Chicago last October.
The Barreto investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, together with the Bolingbrook and Naperville Police Departments and the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.
In addition to the penalties for manufacturing child pornography, if convicted, Gabriel also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for obstruction of justice. Barreto, if convicted, also faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count of transporting child pornography, and possessing child pornography carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Both defendants also face a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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