1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs Specialist

May 21, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Follansbee Man indicted
on Child Pornography charges

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A Follansbee man has been indicted for production, distribution, and possession of child pornography.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that MICHAEL JOHN JONES, 39 years old, has been charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Distribution of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography. The indictment also contains a Forfeiture Allegation in which the United States seeks to forfeit a Samsung Cellular Phone that allegedly contains child pornography.

JONES will appear this week before United States Magistrate Judge James Seibert for an arraignment and detention hearing. Related charges that were previously filed against Jones in Brooke County Circuit Court will be dismissed.

JONES faces up to 60 years imprisonment and a fine of $750,000 if convicted on all three counts.

This case will be prosecuted by Ihlenfeld and was investigated by the West Virginia State Police - Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC).

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.