PENNSYLVANIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORN CHARGES
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, November 25, 2008, that Fred Lee Henrickson, a resident of North East, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children.
Henrickson, age 56, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold advised the court that Henrickson received and attempted to receive and possessed and attempted to possess computer images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is 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 via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of thirty years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Henrickson on bond.
The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Henrickson.
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