Dr. Andrew Sutton Distributed Child Pornography to an Undercover Law Enforcement Officer and Possessed Additional Pornographic Images on his Computer

            ATLANTA, GA – DR. ANDREW SUTTON, 48, of Kennesaw, Georgia, an ear, nose, and throat doctor in Cobb County, was ordered detained in a hearing today after being arrested on March 21, 2011, on a federal criminal indictment for the distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography.

            United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Despite the ongoing publicity relating to undercover operations designed to catch people who are shopping for or trading sexually explicit images of children online, these investigations continue to succeed.  Those caught are not limited to any socioeconomic status.  We will continue to dedicate prosecutorial and investigative resources to root these criminals out of our community.”

            “As parents we strive to maintain the safety and innocence of our children.  The Secret Service takes an aggressive approach towards the prevention and investigation of cyber sexual misconduct with children, specifically child pornography. This case demonstrates our commitment to work with our local law enforcement partners to track down child cyber predators in an effort to keep the internet, and our communities, as safe as possible,” said Reginald G. Moore, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office.

            According to United States Attorney Yates and the information presented in court:  In May 2010, SUTTON, using his internet-connected computer, engaged in an online discussion with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as an adult female with two children.  During that discussion, SUTTON solicited nude photographs of those children.  SUTTON also transmitted several images of child pornography to the undercover officer.  SUTTON, using his web camera, additionally transmitted his own image to the undercover officer.  Cobb County police subsequently executed a search warrant at SUTTON's home and seized several computers and external data storage devices.  Law enforcement found additional images of child pornography on those computers and external data storage devices. Police also found numerous communications on SUTTON's computer between SUTTON and individuals who identified themselves online as minors.  SUTTON engaged in sexually explicit communications with these individuals, encouraged them to take sexually explicit photographs of themselves, and advised them to participate in certain sex acts, including sexual acts with animals.

            This case is being prosecuted as priority of the Justice Department's Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

            This case was investigated by the Cobb County Police Department and Special Agents of the United States Secret Service.

            Assistant United States Attorney Jill E. Steinberg is prosecuting the case.

            For further information please contact Sally Quillian Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.

 

 

 

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