LUZERNE COUNTY MAN ADMITS TO ATTEMPTING TO LURE MINOR
FOR SEX AND RECEIVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Martin C. Carlson, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a Hanover Township man pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Nealon to using the internet and a telephone to attempt to persuade a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, and to receiving child pornography during July through September 2007.

Carlson stated that Robert W. Davis, age 48, will serve 22 years in federal prison if Judge Nealon accepts the sentence recommended by prosecutors and the defendant in the plea agreement.

Davis’ prosecution stemmed from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pueblo Police Department in Colorado. Davis was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 18, 2007.
Judge Nealon accepted the plea agreement and ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed by the U.S. Probation Office. Davis is detained in prison without bail pending sentencing in the case. The plea agreement also calls for Davis to be placed on lifetime supervision following his release from prison, and to pay a $200 special assessment. Davis may face additional time in prison since he committed the offenses while on supervised release for a previous offense.

Carlson noted that the investigation and prosecution of Davis are part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created 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.

Carlson noted that the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.

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