July 26, 2010

CHERRYVALE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

WICHITA, KAN. – David Wayne Ellis, 52, Cherryvale, Kan., has pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

During a plea hearing today, prosecutors said Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Cyber Crimes Center followed an electronic trail from a commercial child pornography Web site to the computers in Ellis’ home in Cherryvale, Kan. On at least three occasions, Ellis paid for Internet access to child pornography. On Oct. 7, 2009, agents served a search warrant at Ellis’ home, seizing 268 child pornography movies showing victims as young as three years old being sexually abused. Investigators learned that Ellis, who lived alone, left his key hanging on a hook outside his house and regularly allowed children ages 7 to 14 to come into his home.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 12, 2010. He faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of receiving child pornography, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing child pornography. Welch commended Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood. For more information see www.projectsafechildhood.gov