Michael J. Devlin Press Release (Guilty Plea)

October 10, 2007
For Immediate Release

MICHAEL DEVLIN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

St. Louis, Missouri: Michael J. Devlin pled guilty to federal charges of production of child pornography and transportation of a minor for a criminal sex act. United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

This series of court actions involved extensive investigation and coordination between many law enforcement agencies and Prosecuting Attorneys Rupp, Parks and McCulloch. We all wanted to achieve the same result–-that is to ensure that Mr. Devlin spends the rest of his life in prison and does not subject other kids to these horrific acts,” said Hanaway.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Nancy Nelson stated, “This was a tragic situation for the children, their families and the communities involved. It was a difficult investigation, but one that was brought to the necessary conclusion. It truly was a noteworthy example of a cooperative effort among many law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly from the start to the recent judicial proceedings.”

Mr. Devlin pled guilty to all six counts of the federal indictment. According to court documents and statements made in court during the plea, between October 2002 and July 2003, Devlin forced a minor under the age of twelve to commit sex acts so that he could photograph them. In pleading guilty to counts two, three and four, Devlin admitted that between July 2003 and January 2007, he videotaped himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor. By pleading guilty to counts five and six, Devlin admitted that he took the minor to Illinois in February 2004 and to Arizona between June 20 and July 3, 2004, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual assault.

MICHAEL J. DEVLIN, Kirkwood, Missouri, pled guilty to four felony counts of production of child pornography and two felony counts of transportation of a minor for a criminal sex act. He appeared before United States District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.

The maximum penalties that Devlin now faces are:

Count 1 - 10-20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000
Counts 2, 3 and 4 each carry a penalty range of 15 to 30 years prison and/or fines of up to $250,000
Counts 5 and 6, transportation for purpose of criminal sex acts, carry a range of five years to 30 years prison and/or fines up to $250,000, per count.

Sentencing has been set for December 21, 2007.

In addition to the agencies above, Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kirkwood and St. Louis County Police Departments, the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group, the St. Louis County Police and Assistant United States Attorneys Carrie Costantin and Reginald Harris, who are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI CATHERINE L. HANAWAY United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz at (314) 539-7719
October 10, 2007 For Immediate Release MICHAEL DEVLIN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES St. Louis, Missouri: Michael J. Devlin pled guilty to federal charges of production of child pornography and transportation of a minor for a criminal sex act. United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today. This series of court actions involved extensive investigation and coordination between many law enforcement agencies and Prosecuting Attorneys Rupp, Parks and McCulloch. We all wanted to achieve the same result–-that is to ensure that Mr. Devlin spends the rest of his life in prison and does not subject other kids to these horrific acts,” said Hanaway. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Nancy Nelson stated, “This was a tragic situation for the children, their families and the communities involved. It was a difficult investigation, but one that was brought to the necessary conclusion. It truly was a noteworthy example of a cooperative effort among many law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly from the start to the recent judicial proceedings.” Mr. Devlin pled guilty to all six counts of the federal indictment. According to court documents and statements made in court during the plea, between October 2002 and July 2003, Devlin forced a minor under the age of twelve to commit sex acts so that he could photograph them. In pleading guilty to counts two, three and four, Devlin admitted that between July 2003 and January 2007, he videotaped himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor. By pleading guilty to counts five and six, Devlin admitted that he took the minor to Illinois in February 2004 and to Arizona between June 20 and July 3, 2004, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual assault. MICHAEL J. DEVLIN, Kirkwood, Missouri, pled guilty to four felony counts of production of child pornography and two felony counts of transportation of a minor for a criminal sex act. He appeared before United States District Judge Jean C. Hamilton. The maximum penalties that Devlin now faces are: Count 1 - 10-20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000 Counts 2, 3 and 4 each carry a penalty range of 15 to 30 years prison and/or fines of up to $250,000 Counts 5 and 6, transportation for purpose of criminal sex acts, carry a range of five years to 30 years prison and/or fines up to $250,000, per count. Sentencing has been set for December 21, 2007. In addition to the agencies above, Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kirkwood and St. Louis County Police Departments, the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group, the St. Louis County Police and Assistant United States Attorneys Carrie Costantin and Reginald Harris, who are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.