Bear Man Indicted on Federal Child Pornography Charges

WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Wilmington returned an indictment yesterday charging James Pickett, 24, of Bear, Delaware, with distributing and possessing child pornography between August and December 2021.

Pickett has been in custody since his December 16, 2021 arrest. If convicted, Pickett faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of 40 years’ incarceration. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Weiss commented, “The production, distribution, and collection of child pornography is a heinous shadow industry that targets the most vulnerable among us – our children.  My office is dedicated to protecting children and prosecuting those that engage in the sexual exploitation of minors. I would like to thank Homeland Security Investigations for their tireless efforts in this case.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.