FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
SEPTEMBER 28, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARYLAND REPEAT SEX OFFENDER PLEADS GUILTY TO PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Defendant, Age 48, to Serve 25 Years in Federal Prison
Baltimore, Maryland - Robert Paul Layton, age 48, of Dundalk, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. In 1994, Robert Paul Layton was convicted of a third degree sex offense in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and is already a registered sex offender.
According to the plea agreement, on February 7, 2007, a search warrant was executed at Layton’s home. The search warrant was based in part on statements by a 13 year old boy and 14 year old boy that they had been sexually abused by Layton. Subsequent investigation and forensic examination of Layton’s computer revealed that in the summer of 2003 Layton coerced a 14 or 15 year old minor male to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Layton sexually abused additional minor boys, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years old. Layton would give the minor boys cash, alcohol and marijuana in return for the performance of sexual acts and would permit the minor boys to view pornography at his residence.
Forensic examination of Layton’s computer and associated thumb drive revealed numerous movies constituting child pornography, and numerous deleted images of child pornography. There were six movies depicting prepubescent minors on Layton’s computer.
Finally, between 2004 and 2006, Layton traveled to South Dakota in order to engage in sexual activity with a minor boy and caused the boy to travel to Baltimore from South Dakota. The boy was 13 to 15 years old.
Layton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography and a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography. The parties have agreed that 25 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, is the appropriate disposition of this case. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz has scheduled sentencing for November 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and Baltimore County Police Department for their investigative work and expressed appreciation to Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and his office for their assistance in this case. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who is prosecuting the case.