Greenbelt, Maryland -William W. Smith, age 53, of Silver Spring, Maryland, an employee of the Library of Congress, pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to his plea agreement, on January 29, 2008, Smith possessed over 20,000 images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors younger than 12 years, and sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence. The images were electronically stored in his computers, external hard drives, CDs, DVDs and videocassettes in his home and office at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Additionally, three women have alleged that 25 years ago, when they were young girls, Smith fondled them inappropriately at their church in Washington, D.C. over a two- to three-year period. Videotapes of child pornography found in Smith’s home included evidence of possible inappropriate touching of these and other young girls.

Smith faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison followed by supervised release for life. At the time of sentencing the government and the defendant will jointly recommend a sentence of 10 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte scheduled sentencing for August 6, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led 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 more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Details about Maryland’s program are available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md/Safe-Childhood/index.html.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Library of Congress Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Robert K. Hur, who is prosecuting the case.