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Department of Justice United States Attorney David L. Huber Contact: Sandy Focken |
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May 6, 2008
LOUISVILLE MAN INDICTED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES
– Louisville Metro Police tipline leads to charges
LOUISVILLE, KY - A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an Indictment against Ronald Underwood a/k/a Ronnie Underwood, age 51, of Louisville, Kentucky, on several child exploitation charges, U.S. Attorney David L. Huber of the Western District of Kentucky announced today. The charges included attempted enticement, attempted production of child pornography, receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
During the on-line communications, as alleged in the following LMPD affidavit, Ronnie discussed engaging in sexual activity with the person he believed to be a 13-year-old boy, including intercourse. Ronnie specifically requested that the two engage in sexual relations including oral and anal sex. During the communications, Ronnie asked the boy to send him pictures of his face as well as nude pictures of the boy’s genitals, anus, and other body parts.
U.S. Attorney Huber stated that “the 574-Tipline compliments the work of the Crimes Against Children’s Unit and together the Louisville Metro Police are becoming leaders in the investigation of sexual abuse of children.”
The Indictment alleges that on or about and between January 29, 2008, and March 19, 2008, Underwood used the internet to attempt to communicate with a person who had not reached the age of 18 to persuade, induce, entire, or coerce the minor to engage in sexual activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). The Indictment also charges that on or about February 18, 2008, Underwood attempted to use a minor to produce child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2251(a) and (e). Also, the Indictment charges several counts of receiving (February 21, 2008), and distributing (February 3, 2008, March 17, 2008, and March 11, 2008) child pornography. Finally, the Indictment charges Underwood with possession of child pornography on or about March 28, 2008, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2).
Allegations
According to the Affidavit of a Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) Detective filed in support of the Criminal Complaint against Underwood, LMPD first became aware of Underwood on January 25, 2008, when LMPD received an anonymous report on their “574-LMPD” tip line about a possible sex crime which stated, “caller stated she wanted to report a Myspace.com account holder that is living in the Louisville Area. Friend ID# 138284905. Goes by the name of Ronnie and states he is 50 years old. The caller stated ‘his page was very pornographic and may be a pedifile.’ Caller stated, ‘The friends on his space are all really young.’” The report was forwarded to CACU for investigation.
On January 28, 2008, the LMPD CACU Detective Affiant utilized an undercover Myspace.com profile and sent the Ronnie profile a “Friend Request.” The undercover profile depicted the detective as a 13-year-old boy. The next day, the user of the Ronnie profile approved the “Friend Request” and sent a message asking, “who is this, howd you find my page ronnie.” The detective replied stating, “I was just browsn profiles say urs my name is XXXX im 13 yrs old…” Ronnie then replied, “hi XXXX are you gay like me, where you live love to meet ya, ronnie.”
On January 31, 2008, Ronnie sent a message to the detective on Myspace.com in which he said he had nude pictures of himself and inquired whether the 13-year-old had pictures of himself. The correspondence between Ronnie and the detective continued on Myspace.com. Ronnie became more sexually suggestive toward the boy asking how big his penis was and “do u jerk off, would like to meet you and jerk off with you or maybe more.” On February 5, 2008, Ronnie and the detective chatted on Yahoo!. During the on-line communications, Ronnie discussed meeting in real life and having sex with the 13-year-old boy. As the chat progressed, Ronnie appeared nude on a web camera and began to masturbate until he reached an orgasm.
On February 18, 2008, Ronnie contacted the detective on Myspace.com. Ronnie again asked for a picture of the boy. The detective mentioned he did not have a picture of himself, but did have a web camera. Ronnie then asked the boy to log onto Yahoo! and “give him a return show.” The detective used a web camera that intentionally was set to malfunction when turned on. During the Yahoo! chat, Ronnie appeared nude on his web camera and wanted the boy to do the same. Ronnie began to give the boy instructions on how to fix the web camera so he could view the child nude. Ronnie encouraged the boy to fix his web camera by repeatedly telling him to turn it off and on again and suggesting that software was necessary to have the camera to work properly. The detective and Ronnie discussed taking the camera apart with a small screwdriver and changing the focus to allow the image to appear clear. The on-line conversation ended with Ronnie chatting about a real life meeting with the boy.
Further investigation by LMPD indicated that the replies all reflected that Ronnie Underwood at an address on Old Outer Loop Road was the user of the accounts in question. On March 28, 2008, LMPD executed a state search warrant at Underwood’s residence as well as the Okolona Batter’s Cage on Preston Highway (where Underwood worked). LMPD found Underwood at his residence and arrested him.
During the search, detectives located images of child pornography in Underwood’s bedroom. The images depicted young males approximately 12-15 years old in various sexual acts.
In the event of a conviction, Underwood faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years. The maximum potential penalties include life imprisonment, a $1,750,000.00 fine, and supervised release for a period of at least 5 years and could include life.
Underwood is scheduled to appear for arraignment before the United States Magistrate Judge on May 20, 2008, at 9:30 a.m., in Louisville, Kentucky.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless is prosecuting the case. The Louisville Metro Police Department in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
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The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation
only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless
proven guilty.
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