Three Indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for Child Pornography Offenses

CHARLESTON, WV—United States Attorney Booth Goodwin today announced that three individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Charleston for child pornography offenses. Charles D. Cunningham, 39, of Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia, was charged with distribution and possession of child pornography. The two-count indictment alleges that on February 23, 2009, Cunningham distributed child pornography. The indictment also alleges that on May 22, 2009, Cunningham possessed computer images and videos of child pornography.

A second federal indictment handed down today charges Raymond Eugene Leake, 34, of Huntington, West Virginia, with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. The four-count indictment alleges that on December 24, 2012 through January 13, 2013, Leake attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. The indictment further alleges that on January 10, 2013, Leake received child pornography. Also, on January 13, 2013, Leake allegedly distributed child pornography.

A third federal indictment today charges Paul Silas Jenkins, 33, of Williamson, Mingo County, West Virginia, with production of child pornography. The indictment alleges that between 2010 and no later than December 2011, Jenkins persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

Cunningham faces up to 30 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and a lifetime supervised release if convicted.

Leake faces up to life in prison, a $1 million fine, and a lifetime supervised release if convicted.

Jenkins faces up to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime supervised release if convicted.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation West Virginia Cyber Crimes Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the Huntington Police Department, and the Huntington Violent Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force conducted the investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada is in charge of the prosecutions.

The indictments were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/PSCpage.html. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and follow the link named “Resources.”

The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.