Claymont Man Charged With Distributing Child Pornography From Residence Used For In-Home Daycare

WILMINGTON, Del. – Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Carl McBride, age 48, of Claymont, Delaware, was arrested earlier today and charged by criminal complaint with transportation of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a).  This federal criminal charge results from an online undercover operation in which McBride utilized a non-public, peer-to-peer computer network to distribute child pornography to over 100 individuals from his Claymont home.   

If convicted of the charges, McBride faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years, and up to twenty years, in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years to life following his prison sentence.  He also will be required to register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction in which he resides, works or attends school. 

After identifying McBride through computer network records, investigators discovered that another person residing at his Claymont residence has been providing daycare services out of the home for at least three years under the name “Little Tykes Day Care.”  The Office of Child Care Licensing suspended the operator’s license today. 

Early this morning, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at McBride’s residence, seizing multiple computers, cell phones, cameras and other digital equipment.  In particular, agents seized a laptop computer found next to a diaper changing table in a room used for daycare services.  A forensic preview of that laptop revealed hundreds of images and movies of child pornography depicting prepubescent females engaged in sex acts.  In a number of the images, the young children are bound and violently assaulted by adult males.

McBride was arrested by U.S. Homeland Security special agents, and made his initial appearance in United States District Court this afternoon.  McBride waived his rights to a preliminary and detention hearing, and will remain in custody pending further proceedings.

Any person possessing information about this matter are encouraged to contact the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Tip Line at 302-428-0104, extension 3.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. McAndrew and investigated by the Delaware State Police and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. 

The charge in the Complaint is only an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.