Novato Man Sentenced To 84 Months’ Imprisonment For Receiving Child Pornography

SAN FRANCISCO – Patrick Harvey was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for receiving child pornography announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.

Harvey, 30, of Novato, Calif., pleaded guilty on September 14, 2016, to receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  In July 2014, Harvey used Facebook to contact a girl he eventually learned was fifteen years old at that time, and he persuaded her to create sexually explicit images of herself and send them to him.  Harvey saved the images on his cell phone.  Moreover, Harvey possessed more than 500 sexually explicit files of minors to include videos and images, some of which included depictions of pre-pubescent minors under the age of 12.  Harvey also sent images of child pornography to another individual via text message. 

A federal grand jury indicted Harvey on December 1, 2015, charging him with possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252; receipt of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251; and distribution of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252.  Harvey pleaded guilty to the receipt charge.

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Maxine M. Chesney, U.S. District Judge.  In addition to the prison term, Harvey was ordered to serve a ten-year period of supervised release, including conditions prohibiting his use of computers and Internet, prohibiting him from frequenting locations where children may be present, and requiring him to submit to searches upon request of law enforcement, among other conditions.  Harvey will begin serving the sentence immediately.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hawkins is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Maria Sunga.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.