Berkeley County man indicted for possessing child pornography

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Wesley Chalk, of Inwood, West Virginia, was indicted by a grand jury sitting in Wheeling today for possession and distribution of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Chalk, age 41, was indicted on one count of “Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography” and one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Chalk is accused of distributing and receiving child pornography and having in his possession child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor and a minor under the age of 12. The crimes are alleged to have occurred between March 2015 and August 2016 in Berkeley County.

Chalk faces up to twenty years and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.