Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty After Child Pornography Found on Computer

RALEIGH, NC—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday DEVIN RAY NORRIS, of Raleigh, North Carolina, pled guilty before United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle to transportation of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on February 17, 2010.

On December 5, 2008, law enforcement received information from Best Buy in Raleigh that they found child pornography on NORRIS’ desktop computer after he brought it in for repair. After receiving consent from NORRIS to search the computer, forensics analysis revealed that the computer contained 86 videos and over 3,000 pictures of child pornography. Further analysis of Yahoo Messenger chats revealed that NORRIS was attempting to trade child pornography.

After interviews with NORRIS, he consented to turn over a second computer and several CD’s. Forensic analysis revealed that the computer had previously been “cleaned.” An additional approximately 774 pictures of child pornography were recovered from the CD’s.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

At sentencing, scheduled for January 17, 2011, term of court, NORRIS faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment followed by up to a life-term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes represented the government.