United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg today recognized the outstanding work done by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) groups operating in the State of Nebraska to protect our children from sexual predators. The Nebraska State Patrol and the ICACs conduct difficult investigations involving the online exploitation of children. The crimes include: online enticement of children; production and manufacture of child pornography; distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography; travel and transport offenses with the intent to engage in sexual activity with children; and, human trafficking of children. These cases are referred for both federal and state prosecution. United States Attorney Gilg noted a number of significant ICAC referrals recently prosecuted in federal court in Nebraska. Significant sentences imposed by the federal court within the past six months include:
- Allen M. Hudson, age 41 of Plattsmouth, who was sentenced to 303 months in prison for producing child pornography. Hudson produced images of child pornography depicting 3 different boys between the ages of eleven and twelve
- Mark Roble of Bellevue who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to produce child pornography. Roble installed cameras in his bathroom with the intent to record a minor female
- Nathan T. Young, age 22 of Columbus, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving child pornography. Young, a registered sex offender, solicited and received sexually explicit photos from a middle school student over cell phones
- Robert Fleming, age 32 of Chadron, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for receiving 78 videos and 4,000 images of child pornography
- Thomas Schildt, age 30 of Gering, who was sentenced to 7 years in prison for receiving 15,000 images of child pornography. The images included children as young as 3 years of age engaged in sexual acts and bondage
- Jason Bielicki, age 35 of North Platte, who was sentenced to 7 years in prison for receiving and distributing 96 videos and 105 images of child pornography
- Steven Fonder, age 33 of Omaha, who was sentenced to 7 years in for receiving and distributing 1,250 videos of child pornography.
United States Attorney Gilg stated “ Each of these individuals are not eligible for parole and when released from prison will remain under federal supervision for terms of at least five years and in some instances for life. All will be required to register as sex offender. Predators who seek to rob the innocence of children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Finally, United States Attorney Gilg noted that the ICACs work hand in hand with Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit ww.projectsafechildhood.gov.