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Press Release

Fairfield Man Indicted On Child Pornography Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

Zachary R. Wheeler, 21, of Fairfield, IL, was indicted on August 4, 2015, on Child pornography charges in a five count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

All five counts charge Wheeler with the production of child pornography involving a minor girl under the age of 18. The dates on which Wheeler is charged with production of child pornography, which occurred in 2014, are May 31, June 12, June 13, June 16, and June 17.

With respect to each Count, if convicted, Wheeler faces a minimum sentence of fifteen years, up to a maximum of thirty years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years.

An Indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation of this case.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.

Updated August 11, 2015

Topic
Project Safe Childhood