January 15th, 2008
Federal Jury Convicts Two Individuals on Child Exploitation Charges in Separate Trials
Memphis, TN - Juries returned verdicts of guilty on JAMES ALTON KELLER and OVELL EVERS, SR. in two separate federal trials last week announced David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, JAMES ALTON KELLER was found guilty on all six (6) counts of an Indictment charging him with knowing receipt and possession of child pornography. His sentencing is set for April 11, 2008 before the Honorable Samuel H. Mays who also presided over the trial. The maximum penalty for knowing receipt of child pornography is not less than 5 years, not more than 20 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both. The maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is not more than 10 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
On Friday, January 11, 2008, OVELL EVERS, SR. was found guilty on all three (3) counts of an Indictment charging him with using, enticing, and coercing a 13 year old female child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct, and possession of child pornography. His sentencing is set for April 16, 2008 before the Honorable Samuel H. Mays who also presided over the trial. The maximum penalty for producing child pornography is not less than 15 years, not more than 30 years in prison, $250,000 fine, or both. The maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is not more than 10 years prison, $250,000 fine, or both.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan L. Newsom is handling this case on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office.
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