FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	August 9, 2012
Docket #: 2:12-cr-288-GEB

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jason B. Scarcello, 42, of Anderson, was charged today with receipt of child pornography, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
           

According to the indictment, between April and June 2012, Scarcello used a file-sharing program to download multiple movies depicting the sexual exploitation of children. According to court documents, Scarcello was arrested on July 25, 2012 after agents executed a federal search warrant at his residence and discovered CDs and DVDs containing sexually explicit images and videos of children. According to the search warrant affidavit, suspicions about Scarcello first arose after investigators determined that he had engaged in computer chats with a previously charged suspect in Kansas, Michael Arnett. From August 2010 through March 2012, Scarcello and Arnett allegedly discussed in computer chats the abuse of child victims.
           

This case is the product of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Morris is prosecuting the case.

Today’s charges are part of an ongoing HSI-led investigation that originated in Boston. In 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and HSI Boston arrested and convicted Robert Diduca on child pornography production charges. Forensic analysis of Diduca’s computer led investigators to the Netherlands where a Dutch national was arrested and charged with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, as well as the sexual assault of 87 minors. Since that time, a worldwide network of offenders has been, and continues to be, unraveled, including today’s defendant. Defendants and victims continue to be identified around the world. To date, more than 140 children have been rescued and 43 perpetrators arrested worldwide as a result.
           

Scarcello was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan and entered a not guilty plea. His next court appearance is set for September 21, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. If convicted, Scarcello faces a penalty of five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, if convicted, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing 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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