Summerville Man Charged with Child Pornography Offenses
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 10, 2009 |
COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Lawrence Stuart age 53, of Summerville, was charged in a two-count Indictment with possession and distribution of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.
Count One of the Indictment alleges that in January 2009, Stuart knowingly possessed a computer, computer disks, and other materials that contained images of child pornography. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that on November 18, 2008, Stuart knowingly distributed child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate commerce.
The maximum penalty that Stuart could receive is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for 20 years.
Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.