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AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
APRIL 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CASCADE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
BALTIMORE, Maryland - Jeffrey L. Gilchrest, age 44, of Cascade, Maryland pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the statement of facts provided to the court as part of the plea agreement, law enforcement received a complaint about an individual uploading child pornography to a Yahoo! website. Investigation revealed that on January 24, 2004, Gilchrest uploaded 23 files from his home computer to a Yahoo! special interest group depicting a prepubescent minor female in various poses and stages of undress. Gilchrest distributed these files over the Internet as they were posted on the group’s website and e-mailed to the group. Additionally, on September 22, 2004, Gilchrest uploaded 10 files to another special interest group depicting minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Investigation revealed that Gilchrest’s computer contained more than 50 files of child pornography. Gilchrest’s computer also contained images of a female who is a known child victim, clearly less than 12 years old. Further investigation revealed that Gilchrest was not only a contributor to special interest groups for child pornography, but also a moderator, which is someone who decides who can enter the group.
Gilchrest faces a mandatory minimum term of five years incarceration and a maximum sentence of 20 years, followed by a maximum of 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. U.S. District Judge Andre M. Davis has scheduled sentencing for June 29, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted the case.
This page last modified—April 21, 2006