Man from United Kingdom Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 20, 2011 |
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on June 20, 2011, Russell “Kriss” Holland, 33, of the United Kingdom, and formerly a resident of Vincennes, Indiana, was charged by the United States Attorney in a criminal complaint in United States District Court with two counts involving child exploitation.
Count one of the complaint charges that from in or about June 2009, through in or about March 2010, Holland traveled in interstate commerce from the State of Indiana to Richland County, Illinois, located in the Southern District of Illinois, and back to Indiana, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor under 18 years of age, in violation of federal law.
Count two of the complaint charges that from in or about June 2009, through in or about March 2010, Holland did knowingly transport a individual who had not attained the age of 18 years from Olney, Illinois, to Indiana, with the intent that such individual engage in sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, in violation of federal law.
Holland had an initial appearance in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois, on June 20, 2011. The Magistrate Judge ordered that Holland be detained on bond pending further proceedings in this matter.
A criminal complaint is a charge filed against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of count one, Holland faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to lifetime supervised release. If convicted of count two, Holland faces from 10 years up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to lifetime supervised release.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other federal, state, and local agencies. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, in which the United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement authorities, is actively investigating and prosecuting individuals who are involved in the exploitation of children.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George A. Norwood.