Flagler Man Charged with Child Pornography Offenses

JACKSONVILLE, FL—United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces the unsealing of an indictment charging William Edward Blocker (79, of Flagler Beach) with transporting and possessing child pornography. If convicted on all counts, Blocker faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Blocker that the United States intends to forfeit various computers and computer discs, alleged to have been used to facilitate the offenses. Blocker was arrested this morning and will have his initial appearance at 3:00 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Klindt.

According to the indictment, Blocker is charged with transporting or causing the transportation of child pornography on October 6, 2008. He is also charged with possessing child pornography on November 25, 2008.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald T. Henry.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.