Dennis Wright Press Release (Guilty Plea)

March 11, 2008
For Immediate Release

DENT COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: Dennis Wright pled guilty this morning to federal charges of producing and possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wofford announced today.

“Our office will vigorously prosecute those who victimize children by producing images of child pornography. Mr. Wright now faces a lengthy term in federal prison,” 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 is alleged to have 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.

DENNIS WRIGHT, Salem, Missouri, pled guilty to two felony counts of production of child pornography and four felony counts of possession of child pornography. He appeared this morning before United States District Judge Stephen Limbaugh in St. Louis. Sentencing has been set for June 3, 2008.

Each count of production carries a penalty range of fifteen to thirty years in prison; the possession counts each carry a range of up to ten years prison. In addition to the prison sentences, each count carries supervised release terms of five years to life.

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 performed 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 is 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
March 11, 2008 For Immediate Release DENT COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES St. Louis, MO: Dennis Wright pled guilty this morning to federal charges of producing and possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wofford announced today. “Our office will vigorously prosecute those who victimize children by producing images of child pornography. Mr. Wright now faces a lengthy term in federal prison,” 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 is alleged to have 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. DENNIS WRIGHT, Salem, Missouri, pled guilty to two felony counts of production of child pornography and four felony counts of possession of child pornography. He appeared this morning before United States District Judge Stephen Limbaugh in St. Louis. Sentencing has been set for June 3, 2008. Each count of production carries a penalty range of fifteen to thirty years in prison; the possession counts each carry a range of up to ten years prison. In addition to the prison sentences, each count carries supervised release terms of five years to life. 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 performed 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 is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.