Former Navy Chief Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography

NORFOLK, Va. – A former Navy sailor was sentenced today to five years in prison for possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Michael A. Eiker, 40, of Virginia Beach, is a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. Eiker came to the attention of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service when he submitted his government-assigned computer for software upgrades. His command noticed child pornography on the computer, which ultimately led to a search warrant for Eiker’s home where additional media containing similar material was found. In total, Eiker maintained a collection of over 1,000 images of child sexual abuse. Also found in Eiker’s home was a journal he recorded documenting his involvement in child pornography dating back nearly 10 years.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Cliff Everton, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David Layne prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources” for more information about Internet safety education.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-72.