FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
April 13, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 2:11-CR-0159-FCD

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that on April 7, 2011, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Joseph Wood, 61, of Yuba City, with receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that Wood received and distributed images via the Internet depicting the sexual exploitation of minors and possessed other similar images when law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at his house. Wood was arrested yesterday and arraigned in Sacramento before United States Magistrate Judge Craig M. Kellison. He will next appear in court before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. on July 11, 2011.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the California Department of Justice Major Crimes Team. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Morris is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Wood faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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