Arizona Men Indicted on Separate Child Pornography Charges

PHOENIX- Paul Richard Butts, 36, of Apache Junction; Kevin O'Rourke, 43, of Phoenix; and Michael Jack Woodall, 20, of Mesa were arrested on Friday, October 28, 2005 by the FBI based on indictments returned by a federal grand jury here on October 26, 2005. In separate indictments all three men are each charged with one count of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Distribution of Child Pornography. The defendants appeared in federal court this afternoon for their initial appearances and all were detained. Each will appear for a detention hearing on Tuesday morning, November 1, 2005 between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton stated that "The nature of child pornography today is becoming more and more violent. While many times these cases are complex and time consuming, it's critically important to stop this and other types of crime against these innocent, young victims." Special Agent in Charge, Jana Monroe warned that, "Today's cyber technology has dramatically increased the access of sex offenders to not only the population they seek to victimize, but also to those who validate their sexual preferences. Through many of our investigations, it is evident that computer telecommunications are one of the most prevalent techniques by which many sex offenders share pornographic images of children and thus identify and recruit children into sexually illicit relationships. The FBI, Phoenix Division, has been combating on-line predators through the Innocent Images Task Force headed out of our Tucson Resident Agency. Since its inception in 2000, the task force has conducted 120 Search Warrants, arrested 63 sex offenders and has enjoyed a 100% conviction rate."SAC Monroe also encouraged parents to "protect their children on-line by seeking information at www.FBI.GOV or www.missingkids.com." A conviction for Distribution of Child Pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of five years), a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Possession of Child Pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction on either count would also require the defendants to register as a sex offender and could also bring lifetime supervised release. In determining an actual sentence, the assigned judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution is being handled by Sharon Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.