New York Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Sexual Images of Children

Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, December 1, 2009, that Kyle Rice, a resident of Panama, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

Rice, age 21, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold advised the court that Rice possessed and attempted to possess computer images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. 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 about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Judge McLaughlin scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rice.