FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
JUNE 21, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WESTERN MARYLAND MAN INDICTED FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
OF MINOR GIRLS TO PRODUCE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Also Charged With Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury indicted William Edward Wray, II, age 50, of Crespatown, Maryland, today for sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography, and receipt and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the 14-count indictment, on nine occasions from May 29, 2005 through January 27, 2007, Wray sexually exploited a minor female, SHW, to produce photographs and videos of the minor female engaged in sexually explicit conduct. From November 2002 through November 2004, Wray sexually exploited another minor female, SBW, in order to produce videos of her engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further alleges that Wray received and possessed images of child pornography.
Wray faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on each of 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography; 40 years in prison for each of three counts of receiving child pornography; and 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Wray’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled. Wray has been detained since his arrest on March 9, 2007.
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/.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Combined County Criminal Investigation Unit located in Allegany County, Maryland for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Allegany County State’s Attorney Michael Twigg for the cooperation provided by his office. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who is prosecuting the case.