Wilmington Man Sentenced to Five Years For Receipt of Child Pornography
Peer-to-Peer Software Used for Online Searches

Steven M. Kaminski, age 34, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced late yesterday afternoon to five years in prison for receiving child pornography, in violation of federal law. David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, made the announcement following the pronouncement of the sentence by United States District Judge Sue L. Robinson.

Kaminski also was sentenced to ten years of supervised release, which will commence following his prison term. He also will be required to register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction in which he lives, works or attends school.

According to statements made at the hearing and documents filed in court, Kaminski was identified by an FBI agent and an FBI Task Force Officer who were conducting separate online searches for individuals who were sharing images of child pornography using peer-to-peer software. The FBI agent was based in Oklahoma City, and the Task Force Officer was based in Peoria, Illinois. On February 4, 2009, the FBI and the Delaware State Police executed a search warrant at Kaminski's Wilmington residence. They seized computer equipment that was found to contain numerous images of child pornography depicting prepubescent females engaged in graphic sex acts with adult males. Kaminski admitted that he had been searching for and viewing images of child pornography on his home computer for approximately ten years. Kaminski stated that in more recent years, he used Google and peer-to-peer software to collect child pornography.

Following the sentencing hearing, United States Attorney David C. Weiss stated, "Increasingly, those attracted to child pornography are obtaining it and sharing it with one another by using peer-to-peer technology. When we identify them, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the High Technology Crimes Unit of the Delaware State Police. For further information, please contact Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. McAndrew at 302-573-6277, ext. 130.