Martinsburg man admits to child pornography charge

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Benjamin Campbell, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Campbell, age 21, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Campbell admitted to having child pornography in his possession between February 2017 and May 2018 in Berkeley County.

Campbell faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.

This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Trumble presided.