Orange, Texas Man Guilty of Child Pornography Charges

BEAUMONT, TX—U.S. Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced today that a 54-year-old Orange, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

JAMES RICHARD KNOX pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography today before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. 

According to information presented in court, on Sep. 13, 2006, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Knox's residence and seized his personal computer equipment. A forensic analysis of the equipment revealed a substantial amount of material containing images of child pornography. Knox was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 16, 2007. 

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Knox faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. 

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.