On National Missing Children's Day, United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton Highlights Office Efforts in Prosecuting Child Sex Offenses

“In honor of May 25, National Missing Children’s Day, I wish to emphasize that child protection is one of the highest priorities of the Department of Justice and of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois,” Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney, said today.

“National Missing Children’s Day began on May 25, 1979 when six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school. Etan’s story captivated the nation. His photo was circulated around the world and the powerful image of Etan shined a spotlight on the horrors suffered by thousands of families of missing children. Etan is still missing but the search continues. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25 as National Missing Children’s Day. Today, the Department of Justice together with the United State’s Attorneys and all of the federal law enforcement agencies recognize this important day and reflect upon our mission to do our very best every day to protect children from harm and exploitation,” added U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton.

“According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, every year in America an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing, more than 2,000 children each day. Of that number, 200,000 are abducted by family members and 58,000 are abducted by non-family members. The National Center has found that the primary motive for non-family abductions is sexual. Tragically, each year in America approximately 115 children are the victims of the most serious abductions, taken by non-family members and either murdered, held for ransom, or taken with the intent to keep. I encourage everyone to learn more about the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by visiting its website at www.missingkids.com,” U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton said today.

“Over the past year, the cases prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois as part of its Project Safe Childhood (PSC) initiative have involved the manufacture, possession, receipt,and distribution of child pornography, online enticement and attempted enticement of children for sexual purposes, and violation of the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Crimes involving children leave permanent and irreparable scars on the psyches of the most vulnerable of our nation. Victimization does not stop with the act, or the enticement, but can continue to haunt these children throughout their lives. No one can know how many victimized children have gone missing because of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon them. I will continue to vigorously prosecute anyone involved in the sexual exploitation of our innocent children,” United States Attorney Wigginton declared.

“Showing that these are not just empty promises, I have provided a listing of cases prosecuted and pending within my office. I urge the public to get involved with me, my fellow prosecutors, and our law enforcement partners in finding and punishing those who prey upon innocent children,” United States Attorney Wigginton added.

A listing of cases pending and cases prosecuted demonstrates this commitment:

Remember, some of these defendants have not yet pled guilty or been adjudicated. An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

On May 18, 2011, Christopher McCoy, 48, of Granite City, Illinois, was charged with enticement of a minor; distribution of child pornography; transfer of obscene material to a minor; receipt of child pornography; and possession of child pornography. Arraignment is set for May 25, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On May 18, 2011, Michael Wyrozynski, 48, of Madison County, Illinois, was charged with possession and receipt of child pornography. Trial is set for June 27, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On May 13, 2011, Cory Reibel, 23, of Swansea, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with two counts of production of child pornography. Sentencing is set for August 22, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On May 13, 2011, Hal Dean McBride, 43, of East Alton, Illinois, pled guilty to a six-count superseding indictment charging enticement of a minor; receipt of child pornography; accessing child pornography with intent to view (“web surfing,”); and two counts of transfer of obscene matter to a minor. Sentencing is set for September 7, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On May 6, 2011, Zachary G. Friedel, 27, of Batchtown, Illinois, received a five-year sentence of imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On May 4, 2011, Joshua Robert Hoover, 32, of York, Nebraska, was charged by complaint with production of child pornography and with commission of a felony offense against a minor as a registered sex offender.

On May 3, 2011, Ronald B. Corey, 47, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Carterville, Illinois, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Trial is set for July 18, 2011, in Benton.

On April 29, 2011, Gary E. Shields, of Edwardsville, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging him with possession of child pornography.

On April 29, 2011, Roy R. Browne, 29, of Columbia, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with enticement of a minor. Sentencing is set for July 29, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On April 25, 2011, Mark A. Reynolds, 49, of Hartford, Illinois, pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging enticement of a minor and receipt of child pornography. Reynolds faces enhanced penalties as a a registered sex offender. Sentencing is set for August 8, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On April 21, 2011, Mark Heppner, 61, of East Alton, pled guilty to possession of child pornography. Heppner faces enhanced penalties as a registered sex offender. Sentencing is set for August 1, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On April 20, 2011, Kevin Young, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Trial is set for July 5, 2011.

On April 5, 2011, Rondale Lee Chapman was charged with three counts of production of child pornography. Trial is set for July 18, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On April 4, 2011, Joshua Burgard, 22, of Smithton, Illinois, received a 210-month sentence, to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging receipt of child pornography.

On March 28, 2011, Scot J. Baalman, 39, of Meppen, Illinois, pled guilty to an information charging him with receipt of child pornography. Sentencing is set for July 25, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On March 25, 2011, Raymond G. Glasper of Madison County, Illinois, was charged with production and attempted production of child pornography. Trial is set for August 23, 2011.

On March 25, 2011, Jason Bowen, 33, of Granite City, was charged with distribution and possession of child pornography. Trial is set for June 20, 2011 in East St. Louis.

On March 25, 2011, David L Jackson, 42, of St. Louis, was charged with possession of child pornography. He has not yet been arraigned.

On March 15, 2011, Thomas M. Smith, 27, of Belleville, Illinois, pled guilty to receipt of child pornography. Sentencing is set for June 27, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On March 8, 2011, Phillip P. Meracle was charged with possession of child pornography. Trial is set for June 20, 2011, in Benton.

On March 4, 2011, Russell Carrol Mendell, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with failure to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is set for June 10, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On March 1, 2011, Steven D. Ballinger, 30, of Collinsville, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with production of child pornography. Sentencing is set for June 10, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On February 24, 2011, Daniel Lee Scalf, 31, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged with possession and transportation of child pornography. Trial is set for June 21, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On February 17, 2011, Cheryl L Groth, 42, of Freeburg, Illinois, pled guilty to receipt of child pornography. Sentencing is set for June 3, 2011 in East St. Louis.

On February 14, 2010, Robert R. Shipley, age 30, of Louisville, Illinois, received a 210-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging distribution and possession of child pornography.

On February 9, 2011, Joseph Emil Klug, 30, of Granite City, Illinois, received a 32-year sentence, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging production and possession of child pornography.

On February 4, 2011, Timothy J. Freeland, 23, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was sentenced to 97 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On January 31, 2011, a jury found Andrew Floyd Miller, 46, of Chester, Illinois, guilty of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. Sentencing is set for June 17, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On January 21, 2011, Arthur Conway, 50, of St. Clair County, Illinois, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Sentencing is set for June 2, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On January 6, 2011, Thomas E. Lowery, 63, of East Alton, Illinois, received a 151-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession and receipt of child pornography and possession of obscene materials.

On December 20, 2010, Daniel J. Wilt, 48, of Benton, Illinois, was sentenced to 54 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On December 15, 2010, Michele Jason Clark, 36, of Madison County, was charged with possession of child pornography. Trial is set for July 26, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On December 3, 2010, Blake Joseph Young, 41, last known address in Bethalto, Illinois, was sentenced to 300 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging production and possession of child pornography.

On November 2, 2010, October 14, 2010, Dennis Laughten McCree, 57, of Metropolis Illinois, was indicted for possession of child pornography. Trial is set for June 6, 2011, in Benton.

On November 2, 2010, Harry William McMillan, was charged with online enticement of a minor. Trial is set for August 15, 2011, in Benton.

On October 20, 2010, Steven J. Lee, 27, of St. Louis, Missouri, was indicted for failure to register as a sex offender. Trial is set for June 28, 2011, in East St. Louis.

On October 14, 2010, David Steward, 36, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced to 70 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging transportation of child pornography.

On September 8, 2010, David Monfre, age 31, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentence to 96 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging receipt and transportation of child pornography.

On September 3, 2010, David E. Martin, age 39, of Villa Ridge, Missouri, received an 18-month term of imprisonment following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging failure to register as a sex offender.

On August 30, 2010, Kenneth Lee Taylor, age 30, of Belleville, Illinois, received an 18-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 20-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging failure to register as a sex offender.

On August 16, 2010, Kenneth L. Gordon, age 28, of Carterville, Illinois, received an 80-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On August 5, 2010, Larry A. Bechel, 63, of Wood River, Illinois, received a 200-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging sexual exploitation of a minor, transportation and possession of child pornography.

On July 30, 2010, Ricky Walker, 56, of Belleville, Illinois, received a 78-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On July 16, 2010, Kevin T. Dunigan, 54, of Cahokia, Illinois, was sentenced to 168 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging receipt and possession of child pornography.

On June 14, 2010, David Alan Donaldson, 47, of Johnston City, Illinois, was sentenced to 120-month imprisonment, to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On June 14, 2010, Myles D. Allali, age 24, of Mt. Vernon, was sentenced to a 60-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging distribution and possession of child pornography.

On June 4, 2010, Bill L. Wilmoth, III, age 37, of Junction City, Illinois, was sentenced to 109 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession of child pornography.

On June 2, 2010, Tony C. Johnson, age 27, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced to a 87-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging possession and transportation of child pornography.

On May 28, 2010, Steven G. Fernandez, 49, of Collinsville, Illinois, was sentenced to a 108-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a seven-year term of supervised release, following his plea to an indictment charging possession and receipt of child pornography.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to address the online sexual exploitation of children. PSC is implemented through a partnership of U.S. Attorneys; federal law enforcement agencies; Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces; non-government organizations, such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); and state and local law enforcement officials located within each U.S. Attorney’s district.

In August, 2010, the Department of Justice released its National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, which expands law enforcement efforts beyond technology facilitated crimes and now includes all aspects of child sexual exploitation which can be addressed through federal statutes: (1) the production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography; (2) online enticement and attempted enticement of children for sexual purposes; (3) commercial sexual exploitation of children, (4) child sex tourism, and (5) violation of the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

As of July 18, 2010, a total of 3,022 victims of child pornography crimes have been identified and many rescued. 2271 of these victims were rescued since the launch of PSC, through enhanced law enforcement coordination and the efforts of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC).

The National Strategy contains sobering facts about the growing number of child pornography images on the Internet, the content of which is also becoming more depraved and alarming. U.S. Sentencing Commission data between 2002 and 2008 shows a 65 percent increase during that period regarding sentencing enhancements for sadistic, masochistic, or violent images. (p. 22). Images of toddlers and infants being sexually assaulted are becoming increasingly prevalent.

“The aforementioned prosecutions are truly the results of multi-jurisdictional collaborative efforts. I join with all of my fellow prosecutors, especially Brendan Kelly in Saint Clair County and Tom Gibbons in Madison County, along with all of our law enforcement partners in saying that the abuse of children must stop! The citizens of Southern Illinois demand and deserve no less,” said United States Attorney Wigginton.

Agencies participating in the prosecutions have included: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Secret Service; the United States Marshals Service; U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement; the Illinois State Police; the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; the Madison County Sheriff’s Department; the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department; the Collinsville, Illinois, Police Department, the Granite City, Illinois, Police Department; the Edwardsville Police Department; the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department; the Benton, Illinois, Police Department; the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department; the Illinois State Police Gaming Board; the Swansea Police Department; the Alton, Illinois, Police Department; the East Alton, Illinois, Police Department; the Columbia, Illinois, Police Department; the Carterville, Illinois, Police Department; the Cahokia, Illinois, Police Department; the Clinton, Massachusetts, Police Department; the North Brookfield, Massachusetts, Police Department; the St. Louis County Police Department; the Nixa, Missouri, Police Department; and the Keene, New Hampshire Police Department.

The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction is available at this page: http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf

The Department of Justice sponsors a number of resources to help educate parents about how to keep their kids safe on the Internet, including NetSmartz.org, isafe.org and WebWiseKids.org.