United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES ARLINGTON, TEXAS, MAN
WITH RECEIVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

DALLAS — A federal grand jury in has returned a one count indictment charging Arlington, Texas, resident Stephen E. Watson, 48, with receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. Watson has been in custody since May 1, 2008, when he was arrested on related charges filed in a federal criminal complaint.

As a result of an investigation into a criminal organization operating a commercial child pornography website known as “Home Collection,” agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Watson’s residence in Arlington on April 30, 2008. During the course of an on-site forensic preview of Watson’s computer, numerous images of child pornography were located, including images of child pornography of known victims.

The indictment alleges that Watson used the Internet to download still images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, Watson faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five years nor more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is being brought as part of 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 Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Lewis is prosecuting the case.

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