UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: PEGGY SANFORD
	OCTOBER 6, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2020
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

GUNTERSVILLE PEDIATRICIAN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

            BIRMINGHAM - A Guntersville pediatrician was arrested today on a charge of possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley announced.

            A federal grand jury last week returned a one-count indictment on MICHAEL ROY SHARPE, 63, of Albertville. He turned himself in today at the federal courthouse in Huntsville.

            The indictment charges Sharpe with possessing a cellular phone containing images of child pornography. The maximum sentence for possession of child pornography is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

            “This office has vigorously prosecuted doctors, nurses, military personnel, law enforcement officers, ministers, professional photographers, teachers and numerous other individuals for sexually exploiting children, and will continue to prosecute these cases regardless of a defendant’s occupation or status in the community,” Vance said.

            The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Stuart Burrell, who is prosecuting this case.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

###