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Press Release

Montezuma County Man Indicted For Child Pornography And Marijuana Distribution

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado

DENVER – Stephen Paul Redwood, age 31, of Montezuma County, Colorado, was placed into federal custody based on a grand jury indictment on child pornography and marijuana distribution charges, United States Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced.  Redwood was indicted by a federal grand jury in Durango, Colorado on April 3, 2014.  He surrendered on April 10, 2014 in Denver, and appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge that afternoon, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him.  Yesterday, April 15, 2014, Redwood had a detention hearing and arraignment.  He is due back in court tomorrow, April 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. for a further discussion regarding detention.

According to the indictment, between July 7, 2012 and November 24, 2013, Redwood transported and shipped child pornography within interstate commerce, using any means, including a computer.  Further, on August 25, 2012, January 21, 2013, August 14, 2013, and December 3, 2013, the defendant knowingly received child pornography, also by computer.  On January 15, 2014, Redwood was found in possession of child pornography.

In addition to the child pornography charges, between October 31, 2013 and January 15, 2014, Redwood did knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.  On January 15, 2014, Redwood did knowingly and intentionally manufacture and possess with intent to manufacture marijuana.

During the course of the investigation, the FBI determined that Redwood was receiving, transporting, and possessing child pornography.  On January 15, 2014, FBI agents, working with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Services (HSI), United States Marshals Service, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office and the Cortez Police Department, executed a search warrant at Redwood’s residence.  In addition to the computer and computer media they found, which contained child pornography, agents also found a marijuana grow, including dried marijuana ready for use and live marijuana plants.  During a detention hearing, the government proffered to the court that Redwood sold marijuana to a 14 year old and other minors as well.

Redwood faces one count of transportation of child pornography and four counts of receipt of child pornography which carries a penalty of not less than 5 years, and not more than 20 years in federal prison, as well as not more than a $250,000 fine for each count.  He faces, one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a penalty of not more than 10 years in federal prison.  He faces one count of distribution of marijuana and one count of manufacture/cultivation of marijuana, each count of which carries a penalty of not more than 5 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Services (HSI), United States Marshals Service, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office and the Cortez Police Department.

Redwood is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Norvell, based in the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Durango Branch Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia Riewerts Wolak is providing support in Denver.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.


Updated June 22, 2015