Eighty Four Man Found Guilty Of Trading Child Pornography Images Over The Internet
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, April 15, 2010, that a jury of ten men and two women found David Cunningham guilty of three violations of child pornography laws.
Cunningham, age 37, of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, was tried before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that Cunningham traded child pornography on the internet in June and July of 2007. The sexually explicit images being distributed and received by Cunningham included images of prepubescent children and sadomasochistic depictions of violence. Cunningham was arrested following an undercover online investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, Computer Crimes Unit.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2010, at 10:00 AM. The law provides for a total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, Cunningham will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals.
The Pennsylvania State Police, aided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of David Cunningham.
