Twelve-year Sentence For Franklin Man Who Purchased Sadistic Images Of Child Pornography

CINCINNATI – Paul G. Fox, 48, of Franklin, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 144 months in prison for possession of more than 600 images of child pornography, depicting children under 12 years old in sadistic and masochistic conduct.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Marlon Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and members of the Greater Cincinnati Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) announced the sentence handed down today by Senior U.S. District Judge Sandra S. Beckwith. 

Fox pleaded guilty on April 24, 2013 to one count of receipt of child pornography. According to court documents, HSI received a child exploitation referral from the Queensland Police in Australia regarding images posted on a Russian image board indicating the exchange of images of child exploitation, with information pointing to Fox. 

HSI and Franklin Police obtained a search warrant for Fox’s house on January 9, 2013 where they seized computer storage media and a computer. A forensic analysis of the computer by the Secret Service showed that Fox knowingly received multiple images and videos depicting violence or sadistic conduct. Fox possessed more than 600 images. Fox was arrested January 11, 2013 and has been in custody since his arrest.

After he completes his prison term, Fox will be under court supervision for the rest of his life. Under federal law, he must register as a sex offender anywhere he lives, works or goes to school.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the investigation by HSI and ICAC, as well as the Regional Electronics and Computer Investigations (RECI). Agencies participating in the Greater Cincinnati ICAC, in addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office include the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil and the police departments in Amberley Village, Blue Ash, Cincinnati, and West Chester.

U.S. Attorney Stewart also commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Muncy, who prosecuted the case.