Arlington Man Pleads Guilty to Production and Possession of Child Pornography

Produced and possessed images of minors met on the Internet

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Patrick Joseph Friedel, 29, of Arlington, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to production and possession of child pornography.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C.; and Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Chief of Police, Fairfax County Police Department made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III.

Friedel was originally indicted by a federal grand jury on November 20, 2014.  Friedel faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 24, 2015.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress.  It is provided here for informational purposes.  The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Friedel acknowledged meeting five underage teenagers over the Internet and exchanging sexually explicit images with them.  In this pattern of activity, Friedel used persuasion, including sending depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and coercion, including threats to post images online and tell parents.   On three occasions, Friedel picked up one of the minors and engaged in sexual activity with her.  He took pictures and videos of this activity, which according to the plea agreement, included sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.   

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fairfax County Police Department with the assistance of the Northern Virginia/DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Gardner and Tracy Doherty-McCormick are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:14-cr-383.