Smithboro Man Charged with Production and Possession of Child Pornography

A Smithboro, Illinois man was indicted on June 22, 2011, on charges of production and possession of child pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Darrell L. Stewart, Jr., 41, was charged with three counts of production of child pornography involving two minors and one count of possession of child pornography. Arraignment is scheduled for July 6, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. in federal court in East St. Louis.

If convicted on the charges, each count of production of child pornography carries a term of at least 15 years and up to 30 years’ imprisonment. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigation in this case is being 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 United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton and Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne M. Garrison.