FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
OCTOBER 2, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDGEWOOD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Baltimore, Maryland - Matthew Justin Perry, age 28, of Edgewood, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the plea agreement, an undercover U.S. Postal Inspector posted an advertisement/message on March 3, 2005 in 12 computer newsgroups that cater to persons who have a sexual interest in minors. Perry responded to the posting. Over the course of subsequent email communication, Perry stated that he was interested in purchasing videos of child pornography. He provided a detailed description of what he wanted. Perry was given a list of three videos with descriptions of their contents and he agreed to buy all three. He confirmed his mailing address. Perry sent payment for the videos to a post office box in Ohio.
On May 13, 2005, law enforcement officers made a controlled delivery of three VHS tapes containing child pornography to Perry at his home. Shortly after Perry signed for the package, Perry’s residence was searched. A forensic search of Perry’s computers revealed over 2,000 images of child pornography, as well as copies of the e-mail communication between Perry and the undercover agent. A number of the images depicted prepubescent minors.
Perry faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched 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/.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who is prosecuting the case.