Akron man faces several charges related to child pornography

David T. Beiter, 54, of Akron, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, transferring obscene material to a juvenile and enticement, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The Indictment charges that from on or about February 9, 2015 through on or about March 19, 2015, Beiter knowingly used a device connected to the Internet, to attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 12-year-old girl to engage in illegal sexual activity with him. The indictment also charges that on or about February 9, 2015, Beiter used a facility and means of interstate commerce, that is, a device connected to the Internet, to knowingly attempt transfer obscene matter, that is, a visual depiction purportedly of his ejaculating penis, to an individual who he knew had not attained the age of 16 years, that is, 12-year‑old girl.  The indictment also charges that from on or about February 1, 2014, through on or about March 20, 2015, Beiter knowingly received and distributed in interstate and foreign commerce, by computer, numerous computer files, which files contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Lastly, the indictment charges that on March 20, 2015, Beiter possessed a computer that contained child pornography.

If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the court after consideration of the federal sentencing guidelines which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan.  The case was investigated by the Akron, Ohio and Richmond, Virginia Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Middlesex County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.