United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES MAN WITH
DISTRIBUTION AND POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal grand jury in Fort Worth returned an indictment last week charging 29-year-old James Randall Madewell, formerly of North Richland Hills, Texas, with one count each of receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Madewell surrendered to federal officials and has been released on a personal recognizance bond. He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Bleil tomorrow, February 20, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. for his arraignment.

The indictment alleges that in March 2004, Madewell used the Internet to download still images of minors, including an infant child, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further alleges that in July 2004, Madewell possessed computer hard drives that contained visual depictions of minors that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on all counts, Madewell faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five nor more than 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the 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

U.S. Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Lewis is prosecuting the case.

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