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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
June 13, 2008
TOPEKA MAN USED CREDIT CARD TO BUY ACCESS TO CHILD PORN WEB SITE
TOPEKA, KAN. – Timothy L. Roe, 43, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty Friday to one count of receiving child pornography.
In his plea, Roe admitted that on Sept. 7, 2007, his Dell laptop computer contained images of child pornography that he had obtained by purchasing memberships to commercial child pornography Web sites.
The investigation began in April 2006 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted a child pornography Web site known as “Home Collection.” Investigators identified numerous commercial Web sites operated by the same organization. Users paid a fee for membership that allowed them to download images of child pornography.
Investigators identified Roe by examining the records of Paypal accounts used to purchase memberships. He had purchased memberships on July 8, 2006, Nov. 8, 2006, and July 4, 2007.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 19, 2008. He faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren commended Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at protecting children from sexual predators. For more information see www.projectsafechildhood.gov and www.cybertipline.com.
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