Eight Individuals Indicted on Child Exploitation Charges

MEMPHIS, TN—A federal grand jury returned eight indictments charging eight individuals with violations of federal criminal law involving the distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, and use of a computer to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. The indictments resulted from investigations conducted by member agencies of the FBI Memphis Crimes Against Children Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The individuals charged in the indictments are as follows:

PHILLIP JAMES CLINGMAN, 30 years old, Murfreesboro, Tennessee resident: Indictment charging violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(1) [Distribution of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for a violation of Section 2252(a)(1) is a period of imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release any term of years, not less than five, or life.

JASON HAL COLSTON, 32 years old, Millington, Tennessee resident: Indictment charging violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B)[Possession of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(4)(B) is a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release for any term of years, not less than five, or life.

GREGORY MARVIN DeBERRY, 45 years old, Jackson, Tennessee resident: Indictment charging violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2) [Receipt of Child Pornography] and Section 2252(a)(4)(B)[Possession of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(2) is a period of imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release any term of years, not less than five, or life. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(4)(B) is a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release for any term of years, not less than five, or life.

DOUGLAS LEE EASTERBROOK, 41 years old, Scotts Hill, Tennessee resident: Indictment charging violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2) [Receipt of Child Pornography] and Section 2252(a)(4)(B)[Possession of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(2) is a period of imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release any term of years, not less than five, or life. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(4)(B) is a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release for any term of years, not less than five, or life.

JASON V. GAETANO, 34 years old, East Liverpool, Ohio resident: Indictment charging violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(1) [Distribution of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for a violation of Section 2252(a)(1) is a period of imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release any term of years, not less than five, or life.

JERRY WAYNE STEWART, 57 years old, Collierville, Tennessee resident: Indictment charging violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b) [Use of a computer to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity]. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2422(b) is a period of imprisonment for not less than 10 years, or for life, not more than a $250,000 fine, or both, followed by a period of supervised release for any term of years, not less than five, or life.

WILLIAM D. TATE, 29 years old, Sharon, Tennessee resident: Indictment charging violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2) [Attempted receipt of Child Pornography] and Section 2252(a)(4)(B)[Attempted possession of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(2) is a period of imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release any term of years, not less than five, or life. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(4)(B) is a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release for any term of years, not less than five, or life.

ROBERT JOSEPH TOWER, 44 years old, Paragould, Arkansas resident: Indictment charging violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B)[Possession of Child Pornography]. The maximum penalty for violation of Section 2252(a)(4)(B) is a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a period of supervised release for any term of years, not less than five, or life.

These cases are being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan L. Newsom will be handling these cases on behalf of the United States Attorney's Office.