VANCOUVER AREA MAN CHARGED WITH MANUFACTURING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Defendant Allegedly Preyed Upon the Children of Adult Friends
DAVID P. HARLAN, 42, of Battle Ground, Washington, was charged today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma with possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and manufacturing child pornography. HARLAN will make his initial appearance on the criminal complaint in federal court in Tacoma today at 2:30.
According to the complaint, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Portland, Oregon were alerted by German authorities that someone at a particular IP address in the Vancouver, Washington, area was distributing child pornography using peer-to-peer file sharing software. HARLAN was identified as the person controlling the computers at the IP address. A court authorized search warrant was served on HARLAN’s Battle Ground home in March 2010. Ten computers, numerous DVDs, hard drives and cameras were seized from the residence. Forensic analysis discovered more than 5,300 images and 183 movie files of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the child pornography was of victims already identified by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. However, investigators determined that some of the pornographic pictures had been taken of young children whose parents were friends of HARLAN. In one instance the photos had been taken when the child was about 5-years-old, and her mother was busy in the kitchen.
Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, distribution of child pornography is punishable by a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and a maximum of 20 years. Manufacturing child pornography is punishable by a 15 year minimum mandatory sentence, and up to 30 years in prison.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Battle Ground Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Reese Jennings.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.
