ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A Petersburg man was sentenced here today to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ronald Roscoe, 44, of the 2600 block of Meanwell Road, was sentenced to 120 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge John Corbett.

ICE agents conducted an initial interview with Roscoe at his residence on April 4, 2006 resulting in the seizure of his home computer. Three days later, ICE agents executed a search warrant at Roscoe's residence, resulting in his arrest and seizure of his laptop computer and associated media. ICE conducted a forensic analysis of Roscoe's computer and discovered about 200 images of child pornography, primarily consisting of prepubescent girls posing nude or engaging in sexually explicit acts.

Roscoe was also convicted of burglary and criminal sexual conduct with a minor in August 1986. His first related conviction occurred in 1999 for public indecency after he exposed himself to an 8-year-old girl in a store in Toledo, Ohio.

"This case reveals the disturbing truth that some adults will go to great lengths to sexually exploit children," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Detroit, which covers Michigan and Ohio. "While we cannot restore innocence to those who were abused and exploited, we can make sure that justice is served. ICE will ensure that justice is served on behalf of the victims."

This case is part of Operation Predator, ICE's comprehensive initiative to safeguard children from foreign national pedophiles, international sex tourists, Internet child pornographers, and human traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 9,500 individuals nationwide, including 223 in Michigan.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. Investigators staff this hotline around the clock. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or online at http://www.cybertipline.com.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis L. Carlson, Eastern District of Michigan, prosecuted the case.

-- ICE --