BLOOMSBURG MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO RECEIVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Randy A. Albertson, age 42, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography Tuesday before United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III.

According to U.S. Attorney Carlson, Albertson was indicted on May 11, 2006, with receiving child pornography after the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified by the Bloomsburg Police Department of an investigation concerning Albertson and sexual activity he had with a minor.

In January 2006, Albertson’s personal computer was turned over to Bloomsburg Police. Investigators found over 35 images of child pornography. Additionally, investigators also learned that while employed by the Bureau of Prisons at USP Caanan, Albertson contacted a computer specialist working at USP Allenwood and requested information on how to erase a computer hard drive.

Albertson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment with a possible life term of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carlson praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers for their outstanding work in the investigation of Albertson. He went on to note that, “Federal, state and local law enforcement are committed to utilizing all of our resources to protect children from individuals that prey upon them.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Pennsylvania State Police; and the Bloomsburg Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created 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/.

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