GILMER MAN DETAINED ON FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

            MARSHALL, TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 43-year-old Gilmer, Texas man appeared in court today for a detention hearing after having been charged with multiple counts of child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

MILTON KEITH BUNN was indicted on March 12, 2008 and charged with three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Bunn was arrested on March 18, 2008 in Orange, Texas and appeared in federal court the next day in Beaumont for an initial appearance.  Bunn was transferred by the U.S. Marshal's Service to the Marshall Division for a detention hearing.   Today, the government moved for, and was granted, detention.  Bunn will remain in federal custody until the conclusion of this case or further order of the court.  United States Magistrate Judge Chad Everingham presided over today's hearing.   

If convicted of the charges, Bunn faces up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC).  In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Lead 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 information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.
             
            It is important to note that a grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
           
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