Aug. 15, 2006

LaCYGNE MAN PLEADS GUILTY
TO DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man from LaCygne, Kan., whose online activities first were spotted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of distributing child pornography on the Internet.

David Underwood, 39, pleaded guilty during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia.

“Mr. Underwood faces a sentence of at least 5 years in federal prison for the crime he committed,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. “The maximum penalty is 20 years.”

In his plea, Underwood admitted that:

– On July 9, 2004, he uploaded 11 images of child pornography to a Yahoo group.
– On July 13, 2004, he uploaded six images of child pornography to a Yahoo group.
– On July 30, 2004, he uploaded six images of child pornography to a Yahoo group.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (http://www.missingkids.com/) sent three CyberTipline Reports to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Cyber Crimes Task Force in Kansas City. Using administrative subpoenas, investigators tracked the postings back to Underwood in LaCygne, Kan. The Heart of America Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory found more than 600 images of child pornography on Underwood’s computer.

Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which prepared the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin, who is prosecuting.

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