MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- Renny Graham, 58, of Marion, NY, pleaded guilty on October 14, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa, to a felony charge of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn of the Western District of New York announced today. The possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, stated that in September 2007, the New York State Police Computer Crime Unit received a complaint about an individual using the screen name "renny1211". The defendant was interviewed by New York State police in January 2008 and the defendant admitted to chatting about the sexual abuse of minors. A forensic examination of Graham's computer revealed more than 300 child pornography images. Some of the child pornography images depicted prepubescent minors or minors under twelve years old, and portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, under the direction of Captain Frank Pace, and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Laurie J. Bennett.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2009, in Rochester, NY, in front of U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.