COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Harry James Webb, age 21, of Starr, pled guilty today in federal court in Spartanburg, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis of Spartanburg accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that this case originated from the arrest of an Australian citizen who had been trading child pornography with individuals all over the world. One of the accounts traced back to the U.S. showed that Harry James Webb was involved in the distribution of child pornography.

Further investigation revealed that the IP address and the street address of Webb. On May 18, 2013, federal agents executed a search warrant at Webb’s residence. Webb’s computer was seized and a forensic examination was conducted. Agents discovered multiple videos and images of children under the age of 18 engaged in sexual acts or the lascivious display of the genitals.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Webb can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

This case was brought as part of 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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.