AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

December 11, 2006

PRISON GUARD PLEADS GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Sent Streaming Video of Himself Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct to Individual Who He Thought Was a 15 Year Old Girl

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Daniel Charles Trader, age 57, of Pocomoke City, Maryland, a prison guard employed by the Maryland Department of Corrections at the Eastern Correctional Institute, pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography to an undercover officer posing as a 15-year old girl, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to the statement of facts presented to the court, Trader 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 through May, 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. He also transmitted adult and child pornography and then discussed the images, including asking which images the purported 15-year old girl found most sexually arousing. As part of his plea, Trader acknowledged that he transmitted the adult and child pornography to induce the “girl” to engage in sexually explicit conduct, including taking explicit photographs of herself and traveling to meet Trader to have sexual intercourse with him. Furthermore, he encouraged the “girl” to obtain a webcam and transmit nude images of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Trader admitted that he mailed the “girl” money to purchase erotic clothing and film for the production of sexually explicit photographs of herself and requested that she call him so they could discuss plans to meet in order to engage in, and film themselves engaging in, sexually explicit conduct.

Trader faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for February 23, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.

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.