Former State Police Forensic Analyst Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography

Charleston, W.Va. –  A 48-year old Kanawha County man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty today to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.  Jeffrey Erra Osborne, of Clendenin, West Virginia entered a guilty plea before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

Osborne was formerly employed with the West Virginia State Police for approximately 21 years.  He was most recently employed as a West Virginia State Police Forensic Analyst.  Osborne  admitted that on January 17, 2014, he possessed pictures of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images were located on his personal computer at his home. As part of the agreement, Mr. Osborne will abandon certain computers, hard drives, and electronic storage devices seized from him at the time of the execution of the search warrant. 

The court scheduled sentencing for Osborne for February 10, 2015.

The West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is being brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.