Federal Grand Jury Indicts Blount County Men In Separate Child Pornography Cases

BIRMINGHAM -- A federal grand jury today indicted two Blount County men in separate cases for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography, which included images of children less than 12 years old, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Alabama Bureau of Investigation Chief Neil Tew.

Independent indictments filed in U.S. District Court charge both JAMES HOWARD WILSON, 51, of Blountsville, and JEREMIAH C. KING, 32, of Springville, with using the Internet to distribute child pornography, receiving child pornography on a computer and possessing child pornography on a computer or computer media. King's possession charge involves images of children younger than 12. Wilson's possession and receiving charges involve images of children younger than 12. Wilson is charged with crimes occurring in 2012. King is charged with crimes occurring between March and May this year.

Distribution and receipt of child pornography each carry a minimum prison term of five years and a maximum of 20 years. The charges also carry a maximum $250,000 fine. Possessing and receiving child pornography that includes images of prepubescent children less than 12 years old both carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation and its Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the cases. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama is prosecuting the cases.

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.