Springfield, Ill. – Rodger A. Heaton, United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Ronald McArtor, age 55, of Monticello, Illinois, with possession of child pornography. The one-count indictment alleges McArtor possessed material sent via computer containing child pornography on or about July 31, 2006.

If convicted, the offense of possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and any term of years to life supervised release.

The charge is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement participating in the Springfield Computer Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass.

The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.