ROCKFORD—An Algonquin, Illinois man pleaded guilty today in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Philip G. Reinhard to possessing child pornography that had crossed state lines. JOHN CARLSON, 38, admitted that in August 2011, he possessed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Carlson's sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Carlson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment of at least five years and up to life, and a fine of up to 250,000. The court must impose a reasonable sentenced guided by the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The sentencing was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Holley, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Algonquin Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Love.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Church Photographer Sentenced to Multiple Life Terms for Sexual Exploitation of Children
ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul announced today that Daryl Vonneida, 63, of Dix, New York, who was convicted by a jury of 14 counts related to the sexual exploitation of children, including production of child pornography, transporting minors in interstate commerce for illegal sexual activity, and possession of child pornography, was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa J. Miller, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was sentenced life in prison on each of the counts of production of child pornography and transportation. Judge Siragusa also sentenced the defendant to 20 years on each of the possession of child pornography counts, all to be served concurrently.
“This case sends a clear message that if you victimize a child, you could spend the rest of your life behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “It also reminds all of us that child predators can include persons who work in positions of trust, and that we must continue to be vigilant with respect to those who interact with our children.”
Vonneida was charged after two minor children came forward with allegations of abuse by the defendant. Members of the New York State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in September 2011 and recovered videos produced by Vonneida in which he coerced four children to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The defendant admitted to producing the videos and to taking the children to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania and Splash Lagoon in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Evidence presented by the government at trial showed that the defendant used his position as a volunteer photographer at a church in Horseheads to gain the trust of the parents and the victims.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig, and members of the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Mark Koss.
For more information, the public is encouraged to visit the following websites, which contain helpful information about protecting children from exploitation and abduction:
NY Sex Offender Registry
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/
DOJ National Sex Offender Public Website
http://www.nsopw.gov/
What you can do to protect your child (NCJRS)
https://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/psc_english_02/intro.html
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice
OJJDP Publications/Child Protection
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/missing.html
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
http://www.missingkids.com
NCMEC’s website to teach children about dangers on the Internet
http://www.netsmartz.org
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Violent Crimes Against Children Program webpage
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa J. Miller, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was sentenced life in prison on each of the counts of production of child pornography and transportation. Judge Siragusa also sentenced the defendant to 20 years on each of the possession of child pornography counts, all to be served concurrently.
“This case sends a clear message that if you victimize a child, you could spend the rest of your life behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “It also reminds all of us that child predators can include persons who work in positions of trust, and that we must continue to be vigilant with respect to those who interact with our children.”
Vonneida was charged after two minor children came forward with allegations of abuse by the defendant. Members of the New York State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in September 2011 and recovered videos produced by Vonneida in which he coerced four children to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The defendant admitted to producing the videos and to taking the children to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania and Splash Lagoon in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Evidence presented by the government at trial showed that the defendant used his position as a volunteer photographer at a church in Horseheads to gain the trust of the parents and the victims.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig, and members of the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Mark Koss.
For more information, the public is encouraged to visit the following websites, which contain helpful information about protecting children from exploitation and abduction:
NY Sex Offender Registry
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/
DOJ National Sex Offender Public Website
http://www.nsopw.gov/
What you can do to protect your child (NCJRS)
https://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/psc_english_02/intro.html
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice
OJJDP Publications/Child Protection
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/missing.html
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
http://www.missingkids.com
NCMEC’s website to teach children about dangers on the Internet
http://www.netsmartz.org
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Violent Crimes Against Children Program webpage
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Buffalo Pair Indicted for Sex Trafficking
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned a nine-count indictment charging Kenneth White, 37, of Buffalo, New York, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and sex trafficking of a minor, and interstate transportation for commercial sex. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. In addition, Caitlin Connelly, 29, also of Buffalo, was charged with conspiring with White to engage in sex trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Rogowski, who is handling the case, stated that the according to the indictment, between 2004 and December, 2012, White and Connelly conspired to cause five victims to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud and coercion and a combination of such means would be used to cause the five victims to engage in those commercial sex acts. White also was charged with sex trafficking of a minor victim. In addition, White was charged transporting some of the victims out of New York State to engage in commercial sex acts.
Kenneth White was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. He is being held pending a detention hearing on November 26 at 3:15 p.m. Caitlyn Connelly will be arraigned on November 26 at 2:00 p.m.
The indictment is the result of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Office, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Weirauch.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Rogowski, who is handling the case, stated that the according to the indictment, between 2004 and December, 2012, White and Connelly conspired to cause five victims to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud and coercion and a combination of such means would be used to cause the five victims to engage in those commercial sex acts. White also was charged with sex trafficking of a minor victim. In addition, White was charged transporting some of the victims out of New York State to engage in commercial sex acts.
Kenneth White was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. He is being held pending a detention hearing on November 26 at 3:15 p.m. Caitlyn Connelly will be arraigned on November 26 at 2:00 p.m.
The indictment is the result of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Office, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Weirauch.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Blanchester Man Arrested for Child Exploitation
CINCINNATI—Stewart Matthew Kidwell, 36, of Blanchester, Ohio, was arrested today on charges that he sought someone online to rape a 4-year-old family member while he watched and that he distributed child pornography through a social media website.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Kevin Cornelius, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell; Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil, who oversees the Regional Electronics and Computer Investigations Task Force (RECI); and other agencies in the Greater Cincinnati Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the charges today, which were unsealed after Kidwell’s arrest.
According to court documents, Kidwell approached a user on a social dating site in October 2013 and said he wanted to see someone rape his four-year old family member. The user reported the exchange to Cincinnati police who referred the case to RECI and the FBI for further investigation.
Investigators worked with the user to continue the conversation. Kidwell sent the investigator sexually explicit photos of the family member and offered to bring the child to a meeting in order to engage in sex.
The two-count complaint charges Kidwell with one count of coercion and enticement of another person to engage in illegal sexual contact with a minor child, a crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and one count of distribution of child pornography, which is punishable by at least five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Kidwell appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman who ordered him held without bond. The case will be presented to a federal grand jury for possible additional charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Stewart commended the investigation by FBI special agents, Cincinnati Police officers, and investigators with the Greater Cincinnati ICAC, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Muncy, who is representing the United States in this case.
Agencies participating in the Greater Cincinnati ICAC, in addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, include the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil, and the police departments in Amberley Village, Blue Ash, Cincinnati, and West Chester.
Charges in a criminal complaint are accusations only. It is the government’s burden to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Kevin Cornelius, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell; Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil, who oversees the Regional Electronics and Computer Investigations Task Force (RECI); and other agencies in the Greater Cincinnati Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the charges today, which were unsealed after Kidwell’s arrest.
According to court documents, Kidwell approached a user on a social dating site in October 2013 and said he wanted to see someone rape his four-year old family member. The user reported the exchange to Cincinnati police who referred the case to RECI and the FBI for further investigation.
Investigators worked with the user to continue the conversation. Kidwell sent the investigator sexually explicit photos of the family member and offered to bring the child to a meeting in order to engage in sex.
The two-count complaint charges Kidwell with one count of coercion and enticement of another person to engage in illegal sexual contact with a minor child, a crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and one count of distribution of child pornography, which is punishable by at least five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Kidwell appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman who ordered him held without bond. The case will be presented to a federal grand jury for possible additional charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Stewart commended the investigation by FBI special agents, Cincinnati Police officers, and investigators with the Greater Cincinnati ICAC, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Muncy, who is representing the United States in this case.
Agencies participating in the Greater Cincinnati ICAC, in addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, include the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil, and the police departments in Amberley Village, Blue Ash, Cincinnati, and West Chester.
Charges in a criminal complaint are accusations only. It is the government’s burden to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Wood River Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography
Charlie M. Jarrett, 71, of Wood River, Illinois, was sentenced on November 20, 2013, in the United States District Court to 10 years in prison for distribution and possession of child pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Stephen R. Wigginton announced today. Jarrett was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victims of his offenses, a $200 special assessment, and a fine in the amount of $17,500. Following his prison sentence, Jarrett will be on federal supervised release for life and will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
Court documents establish that in February 2012, during an undercover Internet investigation, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that Jarrett was distributing child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing network. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant for Jarrett’s residence during which they seized Jarrett’s computer, 25 CDs and DVDs, and a binder that contained over 200 images of child pornography. Jarrett was interviewed and admitted that he had been downloading child pornography from the Internet for approximately eight years and that he had distributed the images and videos containing child pornography to other individuals. During a forensic examination of Jarrett’s computer, agents recovered 2638 image files and 60 videos containing child pornography.
In pronouncing the sentence, the United States District Judge took note of the shocking content of the images distributed by Jarrett. “The court just simply cannot get past the images that have been passed around between men,” he remarked. “This is a serious crime. And I hope that in this case that the word gets out...because we want them to pause. We want them to stop. And maybe just think that what I’m doing here even though it is at some level gratifying to me can cause me a lot of pain.” Were it not for Jarrett’s advanced age, the judge noted that Jarrett would have been sentenced to more prison time.
“People need to know that there are men out there, like Mr. Jarrett and many others whom we have prosecuted, who join online worldwide secret networks to view, distribute, and exchange some of the most shocking and sickening videos and photographs of children, toddlers, and infants being raped. In this case, our investigation found images and videos of adult males sexually penetrating infants and toddlers, as well as toddlers forced to perform sexual acts on adults. Some of the images and videos included bondage and sadistic attacks on children,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “The general public needs to know that more often than not the phrase ‘child pornography’ really means ‘child rape caught on tape.’ There are groups of adults who are interested in infant pornography, there are other groups of adults interested in toddler pornography, and there are many who are interested in prepubescent pornography. Terms like shocking, appalling, and sickening simply do not accurately describe what we see in these horrific cases.”
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Metro East Cyber Crimes and Analysis Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Court documents establish that in February 2012, during an undercover Internet investigation, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that Jarrett was distributing child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing network. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant for Jarrett’s residence during which they seized Jarrett’s computer, 25 CDs and DVDs, and a binder that contained over 200 images of child pornography. Jarrett was interviewed and admitted that he had been downloading child pornography from the Internet for approximately eight years and that he had distributed the images and videos containing child pornography to other individuals. During a forensic examination of Jarrett’s computer, agents recovered 2638 image files and 60 videos containing child pornography.
In pronouncing the sentence, the United States District Judge took note of the shocking content of the images distributed by Jarrett. “The court just simply cannot get past the images that have been passed around between men,” he remarked. “This is a serious crime. And I hope that in this case that the word gets out...because we want them to pause. We want them to stop. And maybe just think that what I’m doing here even though it is at some level gratifying to me can cause me a lot of pain.” Were it not for Jarrett’s advanced age, the judge noted that Jarrett would have been sentenced to more prison time.
“People need to know that there are men out there, like Mr. Jarrett and many others whom we have prosecuted, who join online worldwide secret networks to view, distribute, and exchange some of the most shocking and sickening videos and photographs of children, toddlers, and infants being raped. In this case, our investigation found images and videos of adult males sexually penetrating infants and toddlers, as well as toddlers forced to perform sexual acts on adults. Some of the images and videos included bondage and sadistic attacks on children,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “The general public needs to know that more often than not the phrase ‘child pornography’ really means ‘child rape caught on tape.’ There are groups of adults who are interested in infant pornography, there are other groups of adults interested in toddler pornography, and there are many who are interested in prepubescent pornography. Terms like shocking, appalling, and sickening simply do not accurately describe what we see in these horrific cases.”
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Metro East Cyber Crimes and Analysis Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Mingo Child Molester Gets 30-Year Federal Prison Sentence for Producing Child Pornography
CHARLESTON, WV—A Mingo County pedophile who sexually assaulted a minor child, videotaped the abuse, and copied the video onto a recordable DVD that was later discovered inside a rental computer in July 2012 was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Paul Silas Jenkins, 33, of Williamson, previously pleaded guilty in August to production of child pornography. Jenkins’ sentence was handed down by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. in Charleston.
U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “Pedophiles like Mr. Jenkins who victimize children and steal their innocence are downright sickening, plain and simple.” Goodwin continued, “Today’s sentence assures that this child molester will spend a very long time in prison, where he belongs.”
Between some time in 2010 and December 2011, Jenkins established a relationship with a minor between the age of 12 and 16 years old. During that time, Jenkins made the minor perform sexual acts with him and then produced a video of the conduct. Jenkins copied the video containing child pornography onto a recordable DVD. The DVD was discovered inside a rented computer that was returned to a Rent-A-Center located in Pike County, Kentucky, in July 2012.
United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. said at sentencing that Jenkins “ravaged and raped” the young victim in this case. Judge Copenhaver further stated that the defendant was a “danger to the community.”
The bourt ordered that Jenkins’ 360-month prison term be served concurrently with his state conviction on two counts of second-degree sexual assault of two other minor children.
The FBI and the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada handled the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia. Since January 2012, 26 defendants have been sentenced to a total of more than 156 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “Pedophiles like Mr. Jenkins who victimize children and steal their innocence are downright sickening, plain and simple.” Goodwin continued, “Today’s sentence assures that this child molester will spend a very long time in prison, where he belongs.”
Between some time in 2010 and December 2011, Jenkins established a relationship with a minor between the age of 12 and 16 years old. During that time, Jenkins made the minor perform sexual acts with him and then produced a video of the conduct. Jenkins copied the video containing child pornography onto a recordable DVD. The DVD was discovered inside a rented computer that was returned to a Rent-A-Center located in Pike County, Kentucky, in July 2012.
United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. said at sentencing that Jenkins “ravaged and raped” the young victim in this case. Judge Copenhaver further stated that the defendant was a “danger to the community.”
The bourt ordered that Jenkins’ 360-month prison term be served concurrently with his state conviction on two counts of second-degree sexual assault of two other minor children.
The FBI and the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada handled the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia. Since January 2012, 26 defendants have been sentenced to a total of more than 156 years in federal prison.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Task Force Investigation Leads to Arrest of Inland Empire Couple for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
RIVERSIDE, CA—Following an investigation by joint Inland Empire task forces, two Inland Empire residents have been arrested on charges of sex trafficking of a minor and are expected to be in Riverside federal court this afternoon for their initial appearances.
Nekeyia Weatherspoon, 22, of Perris, and Kawaum Scott, 24, of Quail Valley, were both arrested yesterday afternoon after they were named in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court. That complaint was unsealed earlier today. The investigation, which was initiated by officers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, was conducted jointly with the FBI and with the support of multiple agencies working jointly under the auspices of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and the Inland Child Exploitation Task Force (ICEP).
According to the complaint, a 14-year-old victim, identified in court papers only as CV, was forced into prostitution by Scott and Weatherspoon, who were neighbors and who allegedly took all the money she received for the sex acts performed while she was being forced to work as a prostitute. The affidavit in support of the complaint further alleges the defendants took photographs of CV and used them to advertise sexual services on the Internet. The defendants allegedly drove the victim to various destinations to engage in prostitution, made her use an alias, and advised her to tell male customers that she was 18 years old.
On one occasion in October 2012, the defendants allegedly brought the victim to a motel in Riverside County, where she engaged in sex with multiple men over a two-day period and received approximately $2,500 in payment, all of which the victim gave to the defendants, according to the complaint.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, the defendants each would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life.
The defendants will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Riverside. The member agencies whose officers and agents participate on the Inland Empire Child Exploitation and Prostitution Task Force (ICEP) include: the Ontario Police Department; the Pomona Police Department; the Riverside Police Department; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the San Bernardino Police Department; and the FBI. The task force investigates matters of child exploitation, primarily the sexual trafficking of minors.
Multiple agencies participate on the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), including the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the United States Attorney’s Office; the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office; the FBI; and other agencies, including various non-governmental organizations.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
Media Contact:
Nekeyia Weatherspoon, 22, of Perris, and Kawaum Scott, 24, of Quail Valley, were both arrested yesterday afternoon after they were named in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court. That complaint was unsealed earlier today. The investigation, which was initiated by officers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, was conducted jointly with the FBI and with the support of multiple agencies working jointly under the auspices of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and the Inland Child Exploitation Task Force (ICEP).
According to the complaint, a 14-year-old victim, identified in court papers only as CV, was forced into prostitution by Scott and Weatherspoon, who were neighbors and who allegedly took all the money she received for the sex acts performed while she was being forced to work as a prostitute. The affidavit in support of the complaint further alleges the defendants took photographs of CV and used them to advertise sexual services on the Internet. The defendants allegedly drove the victim to various destinations to engage in prostitution, made her use an alias, and advised her to tell male customers that she was 18 years old.
On one occasion in October 2012, the defendants allegedly brought the victim to a motel in Riverside County, where she engaged in sex with multiple men over a two-day period and received approximately $2,500 in payment, all of which the victim gave to the defendants, according to the complaint.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, the defendants each would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life.
The defendants will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Riverside. The member agencies whose officers and agents participate on the Inland Empire Child Exploitation and Prostitution Task Force (ICEP) include: the Ontario Police Department; the Pomona Police Department; the Riverside Police Department; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the San Bernardino Police Department; and the FBI. The task force investigates matters of child exploitation, primarily the sexual trafficking of minors.
Multiple agencies participate on the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), including the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the United States Attorney’s Office; the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office; the FBI; and other agencies, including various non-governmental organizations.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
Media Contact:
- FBI Press Relations: 310 996-3343
- Assistant United States Attorney, Thomas Stout: 951-276-6938
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Former Employee at Ft. Meade Youth Center Charged with Sexually Abusing a Minor
BALTIMORE—Anthony Dennis Williams, II, age 27, of Severn, Maryland, a former employee at the Fort Meade Youth Center, was arrested today on charges of sexually abusing a minor.
The charges were 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 the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
“Parents must to be relentless about reading children’s text messages and checking their social media accounts,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Keep your children’s passwords, read all of their incoming and outgoing messages, and take immediate action if they send or receive inappropriate messages.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Williams worked at the Fort Meade Youth Center where he was a Child Youth and School-Aged Services (CYSS) employee. Williams also taught a program at CYS called Passport to Manhood (P2M), which was a life course for juvenile males attending CYS. The criminal complaint alleges that in 2010 and 2011, while working at CYS, Williams sexually abused two minor males. According to the complaint, Williams communicated with the males through social media sites and text messages. Williams engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the victims and exchanged sexually explicit photographs and videos with the minor males.
The investigation is continuing.
Williams faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor. An initial appearance is expected to be scheduled for tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Williams is detained.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and Army CID for their work in the investigation and thanked the Citrus County, Florida Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney P. Michael Cunningham, who is prosecuting the case.
The charges were 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 the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
“Parents must to be relentless about reading children’s text messages and checking their social media accounts,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Keep your children’s passwords, read all of their incoming and outgoing messages, and take immediate action if they send or receive inappropriate messages.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Williams worked at the Fort Meade Youth Center where he was a Child Youth and School-Aged Services (CYSS) employee. Williams also taught a program at CYS called Passport to Manhood (P2M), which was a life course for juvenile males attending CYS. The criminal complaint alleges that in 2010 and 2011, while working at CYS, Williams sexually abused two minor males. According to the complaint, Williams communicated with the males through social media sites and text messages. Williams engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the victims and exchanged sexually explicit photographs and videos with the minor males.
The investigation is continuing.
Williams faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor. An initial appearance is expected to be scheduled for tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Williams is detained.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and Army CID for their work in the investigation and thanked the Citrus County, Florida Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney P. Michael Cunningham, who is prosecuting the case.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography
WASHINGTON—Thomas DeGrange, 27, formerly of Frederick, Maryland, pled guilty today to federal charges of traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and 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).
DeGrange pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2014. DeGrange faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and a maximum of 20 years for possession of child pornography, as well as potential fines.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 3, 2013, DeGrange began a series of online communications with a man whom he believed had a sexual interest in children. The man was actually an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, posing as the father of an underaged girl. Over the next several days, DeGrange expressed interest in engaging in sexual acts with the undercover officer’s purported daughter. DeGrange also sent the undercover officer several images depicting child pornography. On May 7, 2013, DeGrange traveled from Maryland to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C., for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the girl. When he arrived, he was arrested.
A search by law enforcement of the defendant’s home led to the discovery of a computer containing two videos depicting child pornography, 23 images depicting child pornography, and other evidence of child pornography.
The defendant’s plea agreement resolved other potential federal charges in the District of Columbia and the District of Maryland.
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 plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD detectives and special agent of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, who prosecuted the case.
DeGrange pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2014. DeGrange faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and a maximum of 20 years for possession of child pornography, as well as potential fines.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 3, 2013, DeGrange began a series of online communications with a man whom he believed had a sexual interest in children. The man was actually an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, posing as the father of an underaged girl. Over the next several days, DeGrange expressed interest in engaging in sexual acts with the undercover officer’s purported daughter. DeGrange also sent the undercover officer several images depicting child pornography. On May 7, 2013, DeGrange traveled from Maryland to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C., for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the girl. When he arrived, he was arrested.
A search by law enforcement of the defendant’s home led to the discovery of a computer containing two videos depicting child pornography, 23 images depicting child pornography, and other evidence of child pornography.
The defendant’s plea agreement resolved other potential federal charges in the District of Columbia and the District of Maryland.
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 plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD detectives and special agent of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, who prosecuted the case.
Iowa Man Sentenced to 10-Year Prison Term for Possession of Child Pornography
WASHINGTON—Nicholas Michael Jackson, 36, of Boone, Iowa, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison 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).
Jackson pled guilty in March 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. Upon completion of his prison term, Jackson will be placed on 20 years of supervised release, with conditions including restrictions on Internet and computer use and contact with minors. Jackson also will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 7, 2011, Jackson communicated with a man he believed to have access to child pornography. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. That day, Jackson shared about 20 images of child pornography with the undercover officer in exchange for a promise that the undercover officer would share pornographic images in return, via a live webcam, of an adolescent girl. No such webcam session occurred, and law enforcement arrested Jackson the following day.
Upon execution of a search warrant on Jackson’s residence, law enforcement recovered a computer and external storage device containing nearly 100 images of child pornography.
At the time of his arrest, Jackson was a registered sex offender in Iowa. He was convicted in Iowa in 2002 of three counts of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
The defendant’s plea agreement resolved other potential federal charges in the District of Columbia and the Southern District of Iowa.
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. Project Safe Childhood is 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 those who exploit children, as well as to 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 in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and the special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, who investigated the case. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, the Boone, Iowa Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, David Last, and Amy Zubrensky, who prosecuted the case.
Jackson pled guilty in March 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. Upon completion of his prison term, Jackson will be placed on 20 years of supervised release, with conditions including restrictions on Internet and computer use and contact with minors. Jackson also will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 7, 2011, Jackson communicated with a man he believed to have access to child pornography. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. That day, Jackson shared about 20 images of child pornography with the undercover officer in exchange for a promise that the undercover officer would share pornographic images in return, via a live webcam, of an adolescent girl. No such webcam session occurred, and law enforcement arrested Jackson the following day.
Upon execution of a search warrant on Jackson’s residence, law enforcement recovered a computer and external storage device containing nearly 100 images of child pornography.
At the time of his arrest, Jackson was a registered sex offender in Iowa. He was convicted in Iowa in 2002 of three counts of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
The defendant’s plea agreement resolved other potential federal charges in the District of Columbia and the Southern District of Iowa.
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. Project Safe Childhood is 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 those who exploit children, as well as to 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 in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and the special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, who investigated the case. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, the Boone, Iowa Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, David Last, and Amy Zubrensky, who prosecuted the case.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Four Members of Colombian Guerilla Organization Indicted in Connection with 2000 Kidnapping
WASHINGTON—Four members of a violent guerilla organization were indicted today on conspiracy and hostage-taking charges stemming from the kidnapping of more than 60 people in Colombia in 2000, including three United States nationals. As a result of the ensuing captivity, three Colombian citizens who were taken hostage by the kidnappers died.
The indictment, returned by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by Ronald C. Machen, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Division.
According to the indictment, at the time of the crimes, the defendants were members of the Ejercito De Liberación Nacional (ELN), which in English translates to the National Liberation Army. Since its inception in 1964, the ELN has engaged in an armed conflict to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Republic of Colombia. The ELN has engaged in terrorist activity, including murder, hostage-taking, and the violent destruction of property.
Those indicted today include Eudes Ojeda Ovando, 44, also known as “El Tuerto” and “Martin”; Fidel Castro Murillo, 54, also known as “El Profe” and “Daniro Rodriguez”; and two others identified as John Does. They were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit hostage-taking resulting in death and three counts of hostage-taking. None of the defendants is in custody. If convicted of these charges following an extradition, each defendant would face a maximum term of 60 years of incarceration, which is the maximum sentence permitted under Colombian law for Colombian nationals extradited to the United States for prosecution.
“The indictment returned today alleges that four members of an armed and violent guerilla organization held more than 60 hostages—including American citizens—for ransom in the Colombian jungle,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “During this harrowing ordeal, members of this insurgent group allegedly fired at Colombian military helicopters searching for the hostages and armed themselves with bazookas to resist the military operation pursuing the guerillas. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to pursuing members of foreign terrorist organizations who target Americans as well as our resolve to seeking justice for the three Colombian citizens who actually died during this hostage ordeal.”
“The ELN is a foreign terrorist organization whose members have engaged in violent acts against American and Colombian citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Steinbach. “These indictments today demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to bring these ELN members to justice. The outstanding, long-term cooperation between the Colombian National Police and U.S. law enforcement has dealt another blow to international terrorism.”
According to the indictment, the defendants were among the leaders of a series of kidnappings carried out on September 17, 2000. The three U.S. nationals—a woman, her brother, and her sister-in-law—were taken hostage at a country home roughly 30 minutes outside of Cali, Colombia. More than 60 others, all Colombian nationals, were taken hostage at two restaurants in the area. The restaurants and country home were all near kilometer 18 of a road that led from Cali to Buenaventura, Colombia. The hostages were forced into vehicles and taken into the Colombian jungle and mountains. One of the U.S. nationals, a 66-year-old man, was released at that point because of concerns he would not survive a journey through the jungle and mountains and would also slow down the kidnappers during their escape from Colombian authorities.
The indictment alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators used firearms to keep and detain the hostages; threatened to kill the hostages; conducted or attempted to conduct negotiations for ransom with family members of the hostages; and demanded that military operations by the armed forces of the Republic of Colombia against the hostage-takers cease. On the second day of the ordeal, the kidnappers released another one of the U.S. nationals—a 58-year-old woman—so that she could personally convey one of their ransom demands. The third U.S. national, a 69-year-old woman, was released on September 20, 2000 after three days in captivity, but the kidnappers continued to hold her adult son as a hostage and continued to demand that she pay a large ransom for his release.
The rest of the hostages remained with the ELN, some for several weeks. During this time-frame, the indictment alleges, the ELN conspirators fired at helicopters of the Colombian military members who were attempting to locate the hostages, and also armed bazookas intended to be used against the Colombian military. Three hostages, all Colombian nationals, died as a result of the extreme conditions: Dr. Miguel Nassif, Carlos Alberto Garcia, and Alejandro Henao Botero. According to the indictment, all were denied medical treatment by their captors.
By early November 2000, the last remaining hostages were finally released to representatives from the Colombian Red Cross and the Colombian Peace Commissioner. Even after that, however, the kidnappers pressed on with ransom demands.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
The charges were the result of an investigation led by the FBI Miami Field Division and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brenda J. Johnson and Fernando Campoamor-Sanchez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Assistance also was provided by the FBI Office of the Legal Attaché in Colombia.
The indictment, returned by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by Ronald C. Machen, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Division.
According to the indictment, at the time of the crimes, the defendants were members of the Ejercito De Liberación Nacional (ELN), which in English translates to the National Liberation Army. Since its inception in 1964, the ELN has engaged in an armed conflict to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Republic of Colombia. The ELN has engaged in terrorist activity, including murder, hostage-taking, and the violent destruction of property.
Those indicted today include Eudes Ojeda Ovando, 44, also known as “El Tuerto” and “Martin”; Fidel Castro Murillo, 54, also known as “El Profe” and “Daniro Rodriguez”; and two others identified as John Does. They were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit hostage-taking resulting in death and three counts of hostage-taking. None of the defendants is in custody. If convicted of these charges following an extradition, each defendant would face a maximum term of 60 years of incarceration, which is the maximum sentence permitted under Colombian law for Colombian nationals extradited to the United States for prosecution.
“The indictment returned today alleges that four members of an armed and violent guerilla organization held more than 60 hostages—including American citizens—for ransom in the Colombian jungle,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “During this harrowing ordeal, members of this insurgent group allegedly fired at Colombian military helicopters searching for the hostages and armed themselves with bazookas to resist the military operation pursuing the guerillas. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to pursuing members of foreign terrorist organizations who target Americans as well as our resolve to seeking justice for the three Colombian citizens who actually died during this hostage ordeal.”
“The ELN is a foreign terrorist organization whose members have engaged in violent acts against American and Colombian citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Steinbach. “These indictments today demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to bring these ELN members to justice. The outstanding, long-term cooperation between the Colombian National Police and U.S. law enforcement has dealt another blow to international terrorism.”
According to the indictment, the defendants were among the leaders of a series of kidnappings carried out on September 17, 2000. The three U.S. nationals—a woman, her brother, and her sister-in-law—were taken hostage at a country home roughly 30 minutes outside of Cali, Colombia. More than 60 others, all Colombian nationals, were taken hostage at two restaurants in the area. The restaurants and country home were all near kilometer 18 of a road that led from Cali to Buenaventura, Colombia. The hostages were forced into vehicles and taken into the Colombian jungle and mountains. One of the U.S. nationals, a 66-year-old man, was released at that point because of concerns he would not survive a journey through the jungle and mountains and would also slow down the kidnappers during their escape from Colombian authorities.
The indictment alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators used firearms to keep and detain the hostages; threatened to kill the hostages; conducted or attempted to conduct negotiations for ransom with family members of the hostages; and demanded that military operations by the armed forces of the Republic of Colombia against the hostage-takers cease. On the second day of the ordeal, the kidnappers released another one of the U.S. nationals—a 58-year-old woman—so that she could personally convey one of their ransom demands. The third U.S. national, a 69-year-old woman, was released on September 20, 2000 after three days in captivity, but the kidnappers continued to hold her adult son as a hostage and continued to demand that she pay a large ransom for his release.
The rest of the hostages remained with the ELN, some for several weeks. During this time-frame, the indictment alleges, the ELN conspirators fired at helicopters of the Colombian military members who were attempting to locate the hostages, and also armed bazookas intended to be used against the Colombian military. Three hostages, all Colombian nationals, died as a result of the extreme conditions: Dr. Miguel Nassif, Carlos Alberto Garcia, and Alejandro Henao Botero. According to the indictment, all were denied medical treatment by their captors.
By early November 2000, the last remaining hostages were finally released to representatives from the Colombian Red Cross and the Colombian Peace Commissioner. Even after that, however, the kidnappers pressed on with ransom demands.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
The charges were the result of an investigation led by the FBI Miami Field Division and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brenda J. Johnson and Fernando Campoamor-Sanchez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Assistance also was provided by the FBI Office of the Legal Attaché in Colombia.
Chicago Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting and Possessing Child Pornography
CHICAGO—A Chicago man who collected thousands of images and hundreds of videos of child pornography was taken into federal custody after he was sentenced yesterday to 13 years and four months in federal prison for transporting and possessing child pornography using his home computers. The defendant, Jonathan Sainz, 28, had pleaded guilty in June of this year. He was charged in October 2011 after federal agents searched his residence earlier that year.
Sainz was sentenced to 160 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan. He must serve at least 85 percent of his federal sentence before he is eligible for release, and there is no parole in the federal prison system. Transporting child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, while possessing child pornography carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Sainz was also ordered to pay $8,387 in restitution to a specific child pornography victim whose image he possessed and who was identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as a result of previous unrelated investigations.
According to court records, in December 2010, an undercover law enforcement agent engaged in an online chat with Sainz, during which the agent downloaded approximately eight videos and 44 images of child pornography from files made available for sharing by Sainz. FBI agents subsequently linked the Internet account used during the chat to Sainz’s residence. Ultimately, Sainz was found to possess approximately 3,820 images and 222 videos of child pornography on his home computers. The images and videos included depictions of extremely young children, including toddlers, being sexually assaulted.
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 sentence was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, 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.
The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bolling W. Haxall.
Sainz was sentenced to 160 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan. He must serve at least 85 percent of his federal sentence before he is eligible for release, and there is no parole in the federal prison system. Transporting child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, while possessing child pornography carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Sainz was also ordered to pay $8,387 in restitution to a specific child pornography victim whose image he possessed and who was identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as a result of previous unrelated investigations.
According to court records, in December 2010, an undercover law enforcement agent engaged in an online chat with Sainz, during which the agent downloaded approximately eight videos and 44 images of child pornography from files made available for sharing by Sainz. FBI agents subsequently linked the Internet account used during the chat to Sainz’s residence. Ultimately, Sainz was found to possess approximately 3,820 images and 222 videos of child pornography on his home computers. The images and videos included depictions of extremely young children, including toddlers, being sexually assaulted.
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 sentence was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, 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.
The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bolling W. Haxall.
Two Baltimore-Area Men Sentenced to 28 and 29 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing a Child to Produce Child Pornography
BALTIMORE,—In two unrelated cases, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander today sentenced Larry James Kerfoot, age 38, of Dundalk, Maryland, and Robert Marzola, age 31, of Essex, Maryland, to 28 and 29 years in prison, respectively, each followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually abusing a minor to produce child pornography. Judge Hollander also ordered that upon their release from prison, Kerfoot and Marzola must each 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 (SORNA).
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to Kerfoot and Marzola’s plea agreements, in late May and early June 2012, respectively, an undercover Baltimore County detective downloaded child pornography from Internet files made available by Kerfoot and Marzola from their homes.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kerfoot’s home on June 27, 2012, and seized computers and digital media containing 19 videos and 80 images of child pornography that Kerfoot had received from the Internet. Officers also seized a video Kerfoot had produced of a 12-year-old girl he had coerced to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him on at least five occasions.
Baltimore County Police executed a search warrant at Marzola’s residence on July 19, 2012, and seized a camera, computers, and digital media. Investigation revealed that between December 2011 and July 2012, Marzola sexually abused a minor male at his home to produce images of himself and the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Marzola saved the images on his laptop. Marzola told the boy, who was 6 years old when the abuse began, not to tell anyone about their conduct, which Marzola described to the boy as a game. The images and videos that Marzola had previously produced of the boy were found on his laptop, along with 18 additional videos of children engaged in sexual conduct. According to information presented at today’s sentencing hearing, during the investigation, law enforcement identified a second boy that had been sexually abused by Marzola. The second victim, who was 5 years old at the time of the abuse, told investigators that on at least one occasion he had witnessed the sexual abuse of the first victim and had been abused himself. As with the first victim, Marzola told the second victim not to tell anyone about what happened.
These cases were 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 “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
The Marzola investigation was also part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI-Baltimore, the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in these investigations. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted the Kerfoot case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Budlow, who prosecuted the Marzola case.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to Kerfoot and Marzola’s plea agreements, in late May and early June 2012, respectively, an undercover Baltimore County detective downloaded child pornography from Internet files made available by Kerfoot and Marzola from their homes.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kerfoot’s home on June 27, 2012, and seized computers and digital media containing 19 videos and 80 images of child pornography that Kerfoot had received from the Internet. Officers also seized a video Kerfoot had produced of a 12-year-old girl he had coerced to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him on at least five occasions.
Baltimore County Police executed a search warrant at Marzola’s residence on July 19, 2012, and seized a camera, computers, and digital media. Investigation revealed that between December 2011 and July 2012, Marzola sexually abused a minor male at his home to produce images of himself and the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Marzola saved the images on his laptop. Marzola told the boy, who was 6 years old when the abuse began, not to tell anyone about their conduct, which Marzola described to the boy as a game. The images and videos that Marzola had previously produced of the boy were found on his laptop, along with 18 additional videos of children engaged in sexual conduct. According to information presented at today’s sentencing hearing, during the investigation, law enforcement identified a second boy that had been sexually abused by Marzola. The second victim, who was 5 years old at the time of the abuse, told investigators that on at least one occasion he had witnessed the sexual abuse of the first victim and had been abused himself. As with the first victim, Marzola told the second victim not to tell anyone about what happened.
These cases were 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 “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
The Marzola investigation was also part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI-Baltimore, the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in these investigations. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who prosecuted the Kerfoot case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Budlow, who prosecuted the Marzola case.
Virginia Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison on Child Pornography Charges
WASHINGTON—Jeffrey Klenk, 25, of Alexandria, Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 years and seven months in prison on charges of distribution and 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).
Klenk pled guilty to the charges in June 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Upon completion of his prison term, Klenk will be placed on 25 years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for 25 years.
According to the government’s evidence, in September and October 2012, Klenk contacted a man he believed to be the father of an adolescent girl on a social networking site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. Over a month-long period, Klenk engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer.
During this period of time, Klenk used the computer at his home to send the undercover officer a total of 45 unique images of child pornography, as well as several pictures of child erotica and clothed and unclothed children. On October 18, 2012, Klenk’s residence was searched pursuant to a warrant, and various items were seized, including videos of child pornography. Klenk was arrested that day. All told, officers recovered approximately 13 videos and over 325 images of child pornography from the defendant’s computers and computer equipment.
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 in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force who investigated the case. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, who prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Connelly, who assisted with forfeiture issues.
Klenk pled guilty to the charges in June 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Upon completion of his prison term, Klenk will be placed on 25 years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for 25 years.
According to the government’s evidence, in September and October 2012, Klenk contacted a man he believed to be the father of an adolescent girl on a social networking site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. Over a month-long period, Klenk engaged in online e-mail and instant message conversations with the undercover officer.
During this period of time, Klenk used the computer at his home to send the undercover officer a total of 45 unique images of child pornography, as well as several pictures of child erotica and clothed and unclothed children. On October 18, 2012, Klenk’s residence was searched pursuant to a warrant, and various items were seized, including videos of child pornography. Klenk was arrested that day. All told, officers recovered approximately 13 videos and over 325 images of child pornography from the defendant’s computers and computer equipment.
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 in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force who investigated the case. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, who prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Connelly, who assisted with forfeiture issues.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Charleston Man Indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on Child Pornography Charges
CHARLESTON, WV—A Charleston man was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Charleston on November 5 for child pornography offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Stephen Wayne Laton, Jr., 40, was charged with production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The two-count indictment alleges that in or around June 2010, Laton, Jr. knowingly attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. The indictment also alleges that on February 6, 2013, Laton, Jr. possessed images and videos of child pornography on his personal computer.
Laton faces up to 50 years in prison, if convicted.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada is in charge of the prosecution.
The indictment was brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Laton faces up to 50 years in prison, if convicted.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada is in charge of the prosecution.
The indictment was brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Montrose County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography
DENVER—David Anthony Roesener, age 32, of Montrose, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane to serve 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced. Following his prison sentence, Judge Kane ordered Roesener to serve 20 years on supervised release. The defendant appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody and was remanded at the conclusion of the hearing.
Roesener was first charged by criminal complaint on December 11, 2012. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on December 18, 2012. He pled guilty before Judge Kane on April 4, 2013. He was sentenced yesterday, November 4, 2013.
According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on November 11, 2011, and FBI task force officer, operating in an undercover capacity in New Haven, Connecticut, accessed the Internet using a peer-to-peer program. The task force officer observed a screen name connected to the network that was sharing files which depicted images and videos of child pornography. Further investigation revealed that the screen name resolved to an Internet protocol (IP) address in Montrose, Colorado.
A search warrant was served on that address. FBI agents and task force officers found images and videos on Roesener’s computer. The images included prepubescent children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of which depicted sadistic and masochistic conduct. Among the material seized were various images and videos of unclothed male children bound and gagged, taped to walls, and performing sex acts on adult males and other children.
“The defendant in this case collected images that exploited vulnerable children sexually,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “The 10-year prison sentence is more than appropriate given the types of images this defendant collected.”
“The FBI remains committed to ensuring those responsible for exploiting innocent children are actively investigated and brought to justice,” said Thomas P. Ravenelle, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Denver Field Office.
This case was investigated by the FBI.
The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer.
Roesener was first charged by criminal complaint on December 11, 2012. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on December 18, 2012. He pled guilty before Judge Kane on April 4, 2013. He was sentenced yesterday, November 4, 2013.
According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on November 11, 2011, and FBI task force officer, operating in an undercover capacity in New Haven, Connecticut, accessed the Internet using a peer-to-peer program. The task force officer observed a screen name connected to the network that was sharing files which depicted images and videos of child pornography. Further investigation revealed that the screen name resolved to an Internet protocol (IP) address in Montrose, Colorado.
A search warrant was served on that address. FBI agents and task force officers found images and videos on Roesener’s computer. The images included prepubescent children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of which depicted sadistic and masochistic conduct. Among the material seized were various images and videos of unclothed male children bound and gagged, taped to walls, and performing sex acts on adult males and other children.
“The defendant in this case collected images that exploited vulnerable children sexually,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “The 10-year prison sentence is more than appropriate given the types of images this defendant collected.”
“The FBI remains committed to ensuring those responsible for exploiting innocent children are actively investigated and brought to justice,” said Thomas P. Ravenelle, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Denver Field Office.
This case was investigated by the FBI.
The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Jacksonville Sex Offender Indicted on Federal Charges of Possession of Child Pornography
JACKSONVILLE, FL—Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal grand jury in Jacksonville has returned an indictment charging William Roland Baker (62, Jacksonville) with two counts of possessing child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of not less than 10 years, up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release for each count. Baker was arrested in Jacksonville on November 4, 2013, and made his initial appearance in federal court earlier today. His arraignment is scheduled for November 7, 2013, at 2:30 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate James R. Klindt.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 29, 2013, Baker was found to be in possession of visual images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
According to court documents, Baker is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 16 on November 22, 1995.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another 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."
The indictment alleges that on or about May 29, 2013, Baker was found to be in possession of visual images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
According to court documents, Baker is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 16 on November 22, 1995.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another 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."
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor and to Possession of Child Pornography
WASHINGTON—John Cunningham, 26, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty today to traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and 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).
Cunningham entered the guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell is to sentence him on January 31, 2014. Cunningham faces a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment for possession of child pornography, as well as potential financial penalties.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 19, 2013, Cunningham contacted an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force who had posted an ad on a social network site. Over the next few days, Cunningham engaged in online e-mail and text messaging with the undercover officer, whom he believed was the father of an underage girl. During this period of time, Cunningham arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the child.
On July 22, 2013, Cunningham traveled from Maryland to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he was arrested. Subsequent to his arrest, law enforcement searched Cunningham’s residence and recovered a large collection of child pornography.
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 Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.
Cunningham entered the guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell is to sentence him on January 31, 2014. Cunningham faces a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment for possession of child pornography, as well as potential financial penalties.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 19, 2013, Cunningham contacted an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force who had posted an ad on a social network site. Over the next few days, Cunningham engaged in online e-mail and text messaging with the undercover officer, whom he believed was the father of an underage girl. During this period of time, Cunningham arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the child.
On July 22, 2013, Cunningham traveled from Maryland to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he was arrested. Subsequent to his arrest, law enforcement searched Cunningham’s residence and recovered a large collection of child pornography.
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 Parlave and Chief Lanier praised the work of the MPD Detectives and Special Agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.
Rochester Man Charged in Plot to Murder Witness in Sex Trafficking Case
ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Robert Palermo, 29, of Rochester, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with witness tampering by attempting to kill another person to prevent that person’s testimony in an official proceeding and threatening to assault and/or murder a federal law enforcement officer in retaliation for performance of his official duties. The witness tampering charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Palermo, who is in jail on pending federal charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a minor, attempted to obtain a hitman to murder the 15-year-old female sex trafficking victim. According to the complaint, over the telephone and in letters, the defendant spoke to multiple individuals about his plot to have a hitman murder the victim in order to prevent her from testifying against him. To bring the murder plot to fruition, Palermo provided the victim’s name, description, and directions to an address as well as the phone number for a person outside of jail for the hitman to contact on behalf of Palermo. Law enforcement learned of the plot before any harm came to the victim.
Law enforcement officers pursued the investigation by monitoring Palermo’s conduct in jail and utilizing an undercover police officer to pose as a hit man. During the investigation, the defendant threatened a particular investigating FBI agent by stating that Palermo would “beat that guy’s face in” and that the agent would “end up in a f—king river.”
The underlying sex trafficking case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, alleges that Palermo and co-defendant Daniel Tanck, knowing the victim was then 14 years old, placed an ad on Backpage.com for her to engage in prostitution activities, took pictures of her for the Backpage.com ad at their residence on Emerson Street in the City of Rochester and posted the advertisement using Tanck’s computer.
“The allegations in this case are especially egregious insofar as they accuse the defendant of attempting to victimize a young victim not once, but twice,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of law enforcement officers, both efforts were unsuccessful.”
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crimes Task Force, which includes the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Sheppard; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office under the direction of Sandra Doorley.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Palermo, who is in jail on pending federal charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a minor, attempted to obtain a hitman to murder the 15-year-old female sex trafficking victim. According to the complaint, over the telephone and in letters, the defendant spoke to multiple individuals about his plot to have a hitman murder the victim in order to prevent her from testifying against him. To bring the murder plot to fruition, Palermo provided the victim’s name, description, and directions to an address as well as the phone number for a person outside of jail for the hitman to contact on behalf of Palermo. Law enforcement learned of the plot before any harm came to the victim.
Law enforcement officers pursued the investigation by monitoring Palermo’s conduct in jail and utilizing an undercover police officer to pose as a hit man. During the investigation, the defendant threatened a particular investigating FBI agent by stating that Palermo would “beat that guy’s face in” and that the agent would “end up in a f—king river.”
The underlying sex trafficking case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, alleges that Palermo and co-defendant Daniel Tanck, knowing the victim was then 14 years old, placed an ad on Backpage.com for her to engage in prostitution activities, took pictures of her for the Backpage.com ad at their residence on Emerson Street in the City of Rochester and posted the advertisement using Tanck’s computer.
“The allegations in this case are especially egregious insofar as they accuse the defendant of attempting to victimize a young victim not once, but twice,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of law enforcement officers, both efforts were unsuccessful.”
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crimes Task Force, which includes the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Sheppard; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office under the direction of Sandra Doorley.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Tuolumne County Man Now Faces Federal Charges of Child Exploitation
FRESNO, CA—A grand jury in Fresno returned a five-count indictment today charging Curtis Benjamin Hults, 62, of Twain Harte, with offenses involving the sexual exploitation of minors, announced United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner. The indictment seeks forfeiture of items used to commit the offense, including Hults’s residence.
The indictment alleges that between May 10, 2008 and October 8, 2012, Hults produced images of four different minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also alleges that between May 1, 2008 and July 15, 2013, Hults received images of child pornography from the Internet.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began when a victim of sexual abuse came forward and provided information that permitted law enforcement to obtain a search warrant for Hults’s residence. Numerous computers, hard drives, and other electronic storage devices were seized on August 1, 2013. A forensic analysis of that evidence revealed that Hults had produced still and video images of at least four victims, and he had obtained thousands of images of child pornography through the Internet.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Visalia Police Department, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ceres Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Gappa is prosecuting the case.
Because the investigation is ongoing, anyone with information that might assist in the identification of additional victims is encouraged to contact Tuolumne County Sherriff’s Office Detective Brandon Lowry at (209) 694-2955 or call the FBI office in Modesto at (209) 543-7846.
Hults has been arraigned on the indictment and pleaded not guilty. His next appearance is scheduled for November 12, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe. Hults has been ordered detained as a flight risk and danger to the community.
If convicted, Hults faces a statutory penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison for each of the four child exploitation counts and five to 20 years in prison for the receipt and distribution charge. For each count there is a potential $250,000 fine and a lifetime term of supervised release. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 those who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “Resources” tab for information about Internet safety education.
The indictment alleges that between May 10, 2008 and October 8, 2012, Hults produced images of four different minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also alleges that between May 1, 2008 and July 15, 2013, Hults received images of child pornography from the Internet.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began when a victim of sexual abuse came forward and provided information that permitted law enforcement to obtain a search warrant for Hults’s residence. Numerous computers, hard drives, and other electronic storage devices were seized on August 1, 2013. A forensic analysis of that evidence revealed that Hults had produced still and video images of at least four victims, and he had obtained thousands of images of child pornography through the Internet.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Visalia Police Department, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ceres Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Gappa is prosecuting the case.
Because the investigation is ongoing, anyone with information that might assist in the identification of additional victims is encouraged to contact Tuolumne County Sherriff’s Office Detective Brandon Lowry at (209) 694-2955 or call the FBI office in Modesto at (209) 543-7846.
Hults has been arraigned on the indictment and pleaded not guilty. His next appearance is scheduled for November 12, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe. Hults has been ordered detained as a flight risk and danger to the community.
If convicted, Hults faces a statutory penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison for each of the four child exploitation counts and five to 20 years in prison for the receipt and distribution charge. For each count there is a potential $250,000 fine and a lifetime term of supervised release. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 those who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “Resources” tab for information about Internet safety education.
Burlington County Man Admits Producing Images of Child Sexual Abuse
CAMDEN, NJ—A Burlington County, New Jersey man today admitted his role in producing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
David Clark, 49, of Southampton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to an information charging him with three counts of producing child pornography. Clark’s detention was continued.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2004 through March 9, 2011, Clark employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced three separate minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Clark was charged federally in October 2011 by criminal complaint. Under terms of the plea agreement, Clark will be sentenced to 30 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; investigators with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi; and detectives with the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes; and the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline M. Carle of the Criminal Division in Camden.
David Clark, 49, of Southampton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to an information charging him with three counts of producing child pornography. Clark’s detention was continued.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2004 through March 9, 2011, Clark employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced three separate minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Clark was charged federally in October 2011 by criminal complaint. Under terms of the plea agreement, Clark will be sentenced to 30 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; investigators with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi; and detectives with the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes; and the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline M. Carle of the Criminal Division in Camden.
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