Youngstown Man Indicted For Production Of Child Pornography

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Christopher Cavna, age 26, of Youngstown, Ohio, with producing, distributing and receiving child pornography, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment charges that on or about May 19, 2013, Cavna knowingly permitted a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and such visual depiction was produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.

The indictment also charges that on or about May 20, 2013, Cavna knowingly permitted a different minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and such visual depiction was produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.

The indictment also charges that on or about May 20, 2013, Cavna knowingly distributed two computer image files, each containing a visual depiction of a real minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges that from on or about October 12, 2011 though October 28, 2012, Cavna knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files, which files contained visual depictions of real minors, other than those previously mentioned, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the 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 Youngstown office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mahoning County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

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.