Shreveport Fire Department Dispatcher Arraigned On Child Pornography Charges

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that an initial appearance and arraignment hearing was held for Shreveport Fire Department Dispatcher Stephen St. John, 45, of Shreveport, before Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby for possessing and receiving child pornography.  He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

According to the indictment, St. John knowingly received child pornography on a computer on January 29, 2013. The images were video files depicting minors and prepubescent children engaging in sexually explicit conduct and lascivious exhibition of the genitals and pubic area.  Additionally, images of child pornography were found in his possession on a computer and computer disks on September 5, 2013.

The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for one count of possession of child pornography and from five to 20 years in prison for one count of receiving child pornography.  He faces three years of supervised release for each count.  He also faces a $250,000 fine for each count and forfeiture of the equipment used to acquire, store and view the child pornography.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service and the Louisiana State Police investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan is prosecuting the case.