FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
FEBRUARY 2, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HARFORD COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Baltimore, Maryland - Robert Bower Reeves, age 43, of Forest Hill, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, "This case exemplifies the value of the Project Safe Childhood program, with federal and local law enforcement officials working together to combat child pornography and sexual abuse."
According to the plea agreement presented to the court, after receiving a complaint from a 12 year old girl that Reeves molested her in 2005, Maryland State Police searched Reeves’ residence, including his computer. Between 10 and 150 images of child pornography were recovered, including material depicting girls under the age of 12 performing oral sex on an adult male, and of children’s genitalia. At least one of the images on Reeves’ computer portrayed sadistic conduct. Reeves is currently charged in Harford County for the alleged molestation
Reeves faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison followed by supervised release for life. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for April 20, 2007 at 11:30 a.m.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales 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 investigative work performed by the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Harford County Child Advocacy Center, for their outstanding and cooperative work on this investigation, and Harford County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeffrey Michael for the cooperation provided by his office. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamera Fine and James G. Warwick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Fortune, who are prosecuting the case.