United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

ABILENE, TEXAS, MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
INTERSTATE RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

LUBBOCK, Tx. — Park Kevin Gerberg, of Abilene, Texas, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court in Lubbock to one count of interstate receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. Gerberg entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings who ordered a pre-sentence investigation with sentencing to be scheduled after that investigation is completed. Gerberg, 49, faces not less than five years nor more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Gerberg, who is on bond, will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to documents filed in Court, during the months of April, May, June and July 2003, Gerberg collected and traded images of child pornography, using his computer to access the Internet to conduct the transactions. He traded the images through various chat rooms. After downloading the images of child pornography to his computer, Gerberg copied them onto computer CDs and floppy disks, and stored them in his residence.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. 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

U.S. Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Taylor County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy of the Lubbock, Texas, U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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