June 18, 2008

Oregonian sentenced on federal charges of possessing child pornography
Veneta man's collection included sexually explicit photos and videos

EUGENE, Ore. - A resident of Lane County, Ore., was sentenced today in federal court to a 10-year prison term for possessing child pornography, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Thomas Wesley Boren, 64, of Veneta, Ore., pleaded guilty in April 2007 to knowingly possessing computer disks and data storage media that contained visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. ICE agents had earlier served a search warrant on Boren's residence and discovered more than 600 images and dozens of videos containing child pornography on his computer.

During the course of ICE's investigation, it was also determined that Boren distributed child pornography in order to obtain more child pornography via the Internet. The images were found to portray sadistic and masochistic conduct and other depictions of violence.

"Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime," said Leigh H. Winchell, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations that oversees Oregon. "ICE will continue to dedicate its resources to identify and investigate individuals who seek to exploit children through the collection and distribution of these illicit materials."

Upon completion of his term, Boren will be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to a three-year period of supervised release. During this time, his access to computers and the Internet will be restricted and he will undergo mental health counseling.

The investigation is part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood and ICE's Operation Predator, initiatives targeting those who prey on and exploit children. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices, 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Launched in 2003, ICE's Operation Predator has resulted in more than 10,000 arrests since its inception, including more than 300 in Oregon. The public is encouraged to report suspected child predators and suspicious activity suspicious by contacting ICE at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or Operation.Predator@dhs.gov. Additionally, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an ICE partner on Operation Predator, can be contacted at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com.

-- ICE --