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Press Release

Copperas Cove Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Federal Prison For Production And Distribution Of Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

In Waco today, U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. sentenced 32-year-old Daniel Ethan Clark to 30 years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release on child pornography charges announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher H. Combs.

On July 3, 2014, Clark pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.  According to court records, in April 2014, the defendant, seeking images of child pornography in return, sent an email which contained child pornography images to an undercover officer. 

On April 1, 2014, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Copperas Cove residence and seized a cell phone belonging to the defendant.  A subsequent forensics examination of the cell phone revealed the presence of approximately 7,000 images and videos depicting child pornography.  By pleading guilty, Clark admitted to producing and distributing numerous images and videos of minor females, namely a 7-year-old and 13-year-old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

Clark’s wife, Michelle, is charged by federal indictment with one count of sexual exploitation of children for allegedly knowing about, and even participating in, her husband’s actions.  Upon conviction, Michelle Clark faces between 15 and 30 years in federal prison.  Michelle Clark remains in federal custody pending trial.  She is currently set for jury selection on November 3, 2014.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

Updated December 15, 2014