August 21, 2014

United States Attorney’s Office Announces Arrest of Anderson Man in Child Pornography Case

INDIANAPOLIS—Acting United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler today announced the arrest of an Anderson, Indiana, man for possession of child pornography. William L. Ramsey, 55, was arrested by FBI agents at his home yesterday.

“The most vulnerable citizens in our communities deserve the best protection we can provide,” said Acting United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler. “Fighting against sexual predators remains a top priority in our office.”

According to the criminal complaint, detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP) received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Ramsey was in possession of child pornography. Ramsey was on parole from the Indiana Department of Corrections for child molestation at the time. Acting on the information, parole officers went to Ramsey’s house and discovered pornographic material on his personal computer.

The computer equipment and thumb drives were seized and law enforcement obtained a search warrant to further inspect Ramey’s computers. On further investigation, over 80 images were found on his computer depicting minors engaged in explicit sex acts. Child pornography was also located in a folder for the application “My Image Garden” which is a software program used to organize and print photos.

This case was investigated jointly by and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana State Police.

Special Agent in Charge W. Jay Abbott thanks the Indiana State Police for their dedicated investigation of this case. “This case exemplifies the strong partnership between the FBI and the Indiana State Police in the pursuit of those who prey on the innocent.” “Ask the most seasoned police officer what criminal act shakes them to their core and they will tell you it’s crimes against children,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “That’s the very reason it is our priority to thoroughly investigate crimes of this nature and partner with federal authorities to seek the maximum prosecution possible of such criminals.”

This arrest comes nearly two years after the United States Attorney’s Office announced a comprehensive crackdown on child exploitation in Indiana. When Operation Community Watch was launched, it allowed prosecutors and investigators to use cutting-edge techniques to identify and charge people in Hoosier communities who are engaged in the receipt and trafficking of child pornography materials.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and CEOS, 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

According to Senior Litigation Counsel Steve DeBrota, who is prosecuting this case for the government, Ramsey faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years if convicted.