United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

FEDERAL GRAND JURY CHARGES HOWARD COUNTY, TEXAS, MAN
WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

LUBBOCK, Texas — A federal grand jury in Lubbock has indicted Harvey James Pelland on several felony charges involving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Pelland, 74, of Big Spring, Texas, is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of receiving a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Pelland is in state custody on an unrelated charge.

The indictment alleges that in late March and early April 2009, Pelland possessed images of child pornography and received images of child pornography from the Internet.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. Each possession of child pornography count carries a maximum statutory sentence of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine, upon conviction. Each receipt count carries a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five or more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, upon conviction.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy of the Lubbock, Texas, U.S. Attorney’s office.

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