Durham Resident Sentenced to 120 Months Imprisonment

Greensboro, NC – Jared Trevor Wilkes, age 30, was sentenced for possession of child pornography transported in interstate and foreign commerce by use of a computer, announced Anna Mills Wagoner, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. The sentencing was November 1, 2007.

On July 12, 2006, Wilkes was arrested on federal charges of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. During the encounter Wilkes granted consent to search his residence and computer. A forensic examination of the computer and discs revealed child pornography. Images were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for further comparison. At least sixteen of the images contained child victims who had previously been identified by law enforcement. Wilkes was indicted for the child pornography charges on September 25, 2006. He pled guilty on October 31, 2006.

Wilkes was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, 25 years of supervised release and a $100.00 special assessment.

The investigation was conducted by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Durham Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael DeFranco.

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the United States Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by 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/.

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