Greenwood Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that David Paul Fuller, age 55, of Greenwood, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Anderson, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.    United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that this case originated from the take down of a child pornography website in Switzerland.  Agents were able to identify the IP address of Fuller as active on the website.  This information and further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on Fuller’s home.   When asked by agents if they would find child pornography on his computer, Fuller said “I hope not.”  Upon further questioning he admitted to visiting websites to view what he described as “questionable material.”  Agents seized his computers and subjected them to a forensic examination.  The examination revealed hundreds of images of children, some of which were pre-pubescent, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Fuller can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.  He is subject to a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence because of a prior state child pornography possession conviction.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
 

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