Dresden Businessman Indicted for Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

JACKSON, TN—Craig Elliot Woodward, 48, of Dresden, Tennessee, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III.

The indictment alleges that on or about January 4, 2013, Woodward, the owner of Clockwork Screen Printing and Graphics in Dresden, knowingly distributed computer image files using a computer connected to the Internet. These image files depicted a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further alleges that on or about May 5, 2013, Woodward possessed two laptop computer containing image files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the children depicted in the files were less than 12 years old.

If convicted, Woodward faces up to 20 years in prison for each count and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Following his sentence, Woodward could be under supervised release for the rest of his life. The case was investigated by the FBI Resident Agency in Jackson, the Dresden Police Department, the Martin Police Department, and the Cookesville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Ireland is representing the government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “Resources.”

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.