Morgantown Man Guilty of Child Pornography Charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia man has been convicted of possessing and receiving child pornography.

United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced that Christopher Harp, age 39, was found guilty by a jury on multiple counts of receiving and possessing child pornography. According to the evidence introduced at trial, FBI agents identified an Internet Protocol (IP) address in Morgantown that appeared to be active in the distribution and receipt of illegal images and videos via a peer-to-peer network. Agents determined that the IP address was associated with Mr. Harp and executed a search warrant, seizing his computers, tablets, phones and thumb drives. Agents discovered hundreds of downloads to Harp’s devices, with many of the videos and images including children under the age of 12.

“Protecting young people is one of our most important responsibilities at the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “Whenever we identify someone who is engaged in this type of activity, we devote all resources necessary to hold the offender accountable and prevent further victimization of the children involved.”

Harp faces a sentence of five to twenty years in federal prison for each of the receipt charges and up to twenty years for the possession charge when sentenced. Harp was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service following the guilty verdicts where he will remain pending his sentencing hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Conklin and David Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

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