FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - March 9, 2011

CLAYTON MAN SENTENCED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

GREENVILLE - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced STEVEN SCHRIEFELS, 37, of Clayton, North Carolina, to 66 months’ imprisonment followed by 30 years’ supervised release. The Court also imposed a fine of $4,000 and SCHRIEFELS is required to register as a sex offender.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on July 9, 2010. On December 9, 2010, SCHRIEFELS pled guilty to receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).

In April, 2009, federal agents received information that SCHRIEFELS had made threats against the President of the United States. Upon interviewing SCHRIEFELS, agents obtained a warrant to examine his computer. During the examination, no evidence was found of threats, however, pictures and videos of child pornography were discovered. A subsequent forensic examination of the computer revealed over 600 digital images and 23 videos of child pornography.

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.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes represented the government.