Augusta Man Charged with Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and with Producing Child Pornography

AUGUSTA, GA—ROBERT FRANCIS KWASNIAK, 38, of Augusta, Georgia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of interstate traveling to engage in illicit sex with a minor; producing child pornography; and possessing child pornography.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “This defendant has been charged with producing child pornography and traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sex with a minor. Our children deserve protection from those who abuse and prey on them. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children.”

The indictment of KWASNIAK arises out of a joint investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The indictment alleges KWASNIAK traveled to North Carolina to engage in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl.

Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Tarver commented that this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide U.S. Department of Justice 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Nancy Greenwood, Deputy Criminal Chief in the Augusta U.S. Attorney’s Branch Office and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, is prosecuting the case. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.