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Robert Nardoza (718) 254-6323 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
SIX SUBSCRIBERS TO A CHILD PORNOGRAPHY WEBSITE
PLEAD GUILTY TO POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET
Convictions Result from Project Safe Childhood Initiative
Six New York subscribers to a child pornography website have pleaded guilty over the past two weeks to possession of child pornography. The defendants are among approximately 180 defendants who have been charged nationwide as a result of “Operation Emissary,” an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of subscribers to a website that offered images and movies of hardcore child pornography.
Defendants PETER B. LIST, of Levittown, FRANK SCHIAVONI, of Greenport, THEODORE SADOWSKI, JR., of Medford, OSCAR MILLER, of West Babylon, and ROBERT L. RUPERT, of Bayport, each pleaded guilty in proceedings held before United State District Court Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein at the U.S. Courthouse in Central Islip, New York. Defendant DONALD CIACCIO, of Staten Island, pleaded guilty before United State District Court Judge Eric N. Vitaliano at the U.S. Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York.
The guilty pleas were announced by Roslynn R. Mauskopf, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Kevin Delli-Colli, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, ICE, New York.
The investigation focused on a commercial website offering access to videos and images of hardcore child pornography, and individuals who subscribed to the website during a two to three month period at the close of 2005 and the beginning of 2006. The website, which was accessible through the Internet, alerted would-be subscribers that subscribing to the website was illegal and warned them to be discreet. During the course of the investigation, search warrants were executed, and each of the defendants’ computers and computer-related equipment were seized. A forensic analysis of these computers and equipment revealed that they contained child pornography.
“Consumers of child pornography remain a top priority of this office because their demand for this material results directly in the abuse of children,” stated United States Attorney Mauskopf. Ms. Mauskopf added that this investigation is continuing.
ICE Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Delli-Colli stated, “The Internet continues to fuel a global appetite for child pornography. Public safety is an ICE priority, and ICE is committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our society – our children.”
“Operation Emissary” was conducted under the auspices of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative was created in February 2006 to protect children from on-line exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better investigate, 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 “http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.”
Upon sentencing, each of the defendants faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, sex offender registration, a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The government’s cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Allen L. Bode and Jason Jones.
The Defendants:
Name: PETER B. LIST
DOB: 8/7/1947
Name: DONALD CIACCIO
DOB: 2/6/1954
Name: FRANK SCHIAVONI
DOB: 6/27/1966
Name: OSCAR MILLER
DOB: 11/23/1938
Name: THEODORE SADOWSKI, JR.
DOB: 7/11/1982
Name: ROBERT L. RUPERT
DOB: 3/29/1986