Dennis Wright Press Release (Sentencing)

June 3, 2008
For Immediate Release

DENT COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: Dennis Wright was sentenced to 15 years in prison and lifetime supervised release this morning on federal charges of producing and possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Sparks and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wofford announced today.

“The length of this sentence reflects the commitment of this office to vigorously prosecute those who victimize children by producing images of child pornography,” said Hanaway.

Between June 2005 and August 2007, Wright used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which he videotaped surreptitiously. In October 2005, Wright used a different minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which he also videotaped surreptitiously. The minors were unaware of his conduct. Additionally, in August 2007, Wright possessed multiple computer images containing child pornography which he had downloaded to his computer and different computer CDs.

Wright, 49, Salem, MO, pled guilty in March to two felony counts of production of child pornography and four felony counts of possession of child pornography. He appeared this morning for sentencing before United States District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, in St. Louis.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ 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.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

In addition to the Dent County Sheriff, Hanaway commended the work on the case by the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney, the Regional Computer Crime Education and Enforcement Group, and Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin, who handled 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
June 3, 2008 For Immediate Release DENT COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES St. Louis, MO: Dennis Wright was sentenced to 15 years in prison and lifetime supervised release this morning on federal charges of producing and possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Sparks and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wofford announced today. “The length of this sentence reflects the commitment of this office to vigorously prosecute those who victimize children by producing images of child pornography,” said Hanaway. Between June 2005 and August 2007, Wright used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which he videotaped surreptitiously. In October 2005, Wright used a different minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which he also videotaped surreptitiously. The minors were unaware of his conduct. Additionally, in August 2007, Wright possessed multiple computer images containing child pornography which he had downloaded to his computer and different computer CDs. Wright, 49, Salem, MO, pled guilty in March to two felony counts of production of child pornography and four felony counts of possession of child pornography. He appeared this morning for sentencing before United States District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, in St. Louis. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ 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.projectsafechildhood.gov/. In addition to the Dent County Sheriff, Hanaway commended the work on the case by the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney, the Regional Computer Crime Education and Enforcement Group, and Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin, who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.