AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

October 3, 2006

PRISON GUARD INDICTED IN INTERNET PREDATOR CASE

Had Sexually Explicit Conversations With What He Thought To Be a 15 Year Old Girl

BALTIMORE, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted Daniel Charles Trader, age 57, of Pocomoke City, Maryland on charges of attempting to sexually exploit a minor in order to produce visual depictions of the sexual conduct; and distribution and possession of material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. The indictment, which was returned on September 21, 2006, was unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendant.

The three-count indictment alleges that using a screen name, Trader, a prison guard employed by the Maryland Department of Corrections at the Eastern Correctional Institute, initiated contact with an individual he believed to be a 15 year old girl, who was in fact an undercover officer with the Wheaton, Illinois Police Department. From March 7, 2005 through May 16, 2005 Trader left off-line messages, and initiated approximately 32 on-line chat sessions with this individual, repeatedly engaging in sexually explicit discussions. During these conversations, Trader broadcast streaming video of himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct; transmitted adult and child pornography and then discussed the images, including which images the putative 15-year old girl found most sexually arousing; and encouraged the “girl” to obtain a webcam and transmit nude images of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

According to the indictment Trader sent the “girl” money to purchase erotic clothing and film for the production of sexually explicit photographs of herself and requested that the “girl” call him so they could discuss plans for him to visit the “girl” in Illinois or have her visit him in Maryland so that they could engage in, and film themselves engaging in, sexually explicit conduct. Finally, the indictment alleges that Trader possessed approximately 1778 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which had been transported over the Internet, including over 800 images of identified child victims.

Trader faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor in order to film such conduct, 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for distribution and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of material depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Trader’s initial appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Wheaton, Illinois Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera Fine, who is prosecuting the case.