Northern District of Alabama Press Release


	UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	MAY 21, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

BIRMINGHAM, AL - SAMUEL JAY TURNER, Cottondale, Alabama, 46, pled guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography in United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

According to the plea agreement, during an investigation, ICE agents identified from child pornography member-restricted websites that TURNER, from an address in Cottondale, Alabama, made a payment to PayPal for access to a child pornography website. On February 19, 2009, ICE Agents went to TURNER’S residence to conduct a Search Warrant. TURNER voluntarily agreed to speak with the ICE Agents and admitted to using the internet to receive and possess images of child pornography. A subsequent computer forensic review of the images located on TURNER’S computer hard-drive indicated that there were more than 600 images of child pornography that TURNER received and possessed on his computer. The images of child pornography received and possessed by TURNER are of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

“Children deserve to be protected and defended and we prosecute any person that threatens that right,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

“This investigation is a clear indication of ICE’s resolve to search out those who use the internet to sexually exploit innocent children,” said Michael A. Holt, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Investigations for ICE in New Orleans. “Some predators mistakenly believe that the anonymity of cyberspace shields them from scrutiny; in fact, their use of computers and the Internet have given us new tools to use in our enforcement efforts.”

            The case was investigated by Special Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Fortune is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.

            This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and our continuing efforts to target individuals who possess and distribute child pornography. In February 2006, former Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about the national Project Safe Childhood initiative, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.