Petersburg Man Indicted on Distibution, Receipt, and Possession of Child Pornography

ANCHORAGE—U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a Petersburg, Alaska man was indicted for the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Petersburg resident Tye Leif Petersen, 45, charging him with three counts: distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. Petersen was previously charged by criminal complaint on October 30, 2013, and was ordered detained pending trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who is prosecuting the case, indicated that the law provides that a person convicted of distribution or receipt of child pornography faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine because the images depict children under the age of 12 years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The charges against Petersen are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Petersburg Police Department. If the public has any further information about the activities of Petersen, please contact the Petersburg Police Department at (907) 772-3838.

This case is being pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood. In May 2006, DOJ 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 combines 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

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.