UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: PEGGY SANFORD
	SEPTEMBER 21, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2020
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

BIRMINGHAM MAN AND FORMER FUGITIVE PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD EXPLOITATION CHARGE

A 37-year-old Birmingham man agreed today to plead guilty to transporting a 9-year-old girl across state lines from Alabama to Atlanta, Ga., with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with the child, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance announced.
           
            In the plea agreement between Ronald Loyd Whitworth and federal prosecutors, Whitworth agrees to a 20-year prison sentence. That sentence is binding on the court once the judge accepts the plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Karon Bowdre accepted the agreement today.

            U.S. Marshals arrested Whitworth as a fugitive in Linwood, Washington, in August 2008, shortly after his case was presented to a federal grand jury. He was living there under the alias, Richard Dailey.

As part of Whitworth’s plea agreement, the government recommends he be placed on supervised release for the rest of his life after serving his prison sentence. It also recommends he be prohibited from any unsupervised one-on-one contact with children under 18. The law requires he register as a sex offender.

            "Preying on children is among the most heinous crimes we prosecute in the federal courts," Vance said. "In every case like this, we will seek the longest sentence possible in order to protect and vindicate the victim, and the people of our district."

            Whitworth was scheduled to go to trial today before Judge Bowdre when he entered his plea.

            Whitworth’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.

            Special agents of the U.S. Secret Service and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department worked together in the prosecution of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Laura D. Hodge prosecuted it.
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