FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY - September 8, 2010
GARNER MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TRANSMITTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
WILMINGTON - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday GARY WAYNE ROBINSON, 28, pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge James C. Fox to transmission of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(1).
A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on July 16, 2010.
An investigation was started after it was learned that on October 18, 2009, ROBINSON engaged in a online chat with an undercover officer in New Hampshire during which they discussed trading child pornography. During that chat, ROBINSON transmitted several pornographic pictures of children to the officer. Garner Police were notified when it was learned that ROBINSON lived in Garner, North Carolina. Subsequently, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was notified. According to the investigation, over 700 photographs and 59 videos of child pornography were found on ROBINSON’s computer and a thumb drive that were seized when a search warrant of ROBINSON’s residence was executed.
This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
At sentencing, set for December 6, 2010, ROBINSON faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment followed by up to a life-term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. If ROBINSON has prior convictions relating to sexual abuse or child pornography, the maximum penalty increases to up to 40 years imprisonment.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Garner Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes represented the government.
