August 1, 2008

Ohio pediatrician sentenced to 5 years in prison for receiving child pornography
More than 7,900 images and 600 videos found at residence

DAYTON, Ohio - A local pediatrician was sentenced here Friday to five years in prison for receiving child pornography. The sentence was announced by Gregory G. Lockhart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Investigations in Detroit.

Robert Reinhold, 56, of Troy, Ohio, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose to five years in prison for receiving child pornography, to be followed by five years of supervised release. He must also register as a sex offender. In addition, Reinhold forfeited computer equipment and accessories as well as $137,500, which represents half of his interest in his house. Federal law allows for forfeiture of any interests in any property used in connection with the crime.

ICE agents executed federal search and arrest warrants at Reinhold's residence in October of 2007. At the time of Reinhold's arrest, agents found 19 manila folders concealed in a desk that contained more than 1,700 images on paper depicting minors in various stages of undress. Many images depicted minors engaging in lascivious displays or engaging in sex acts. Reinhold admitted that he received and possessed more than 7,900 images and 600 videos by purchasing subscriptions to commercial websites that offered members-only access to child pornography.

"None of the children depicted were patients of his," Lockhart said, "but investigators have determined that these are images of real children."

 "All children have an absolute right to grow up free from the fear of sexual exploitation," Moskowitz said. "ICE will not cease in its pursuit of those who abuse our kids, whether that abuse is physical in nature or accomplished through the exploitation of their captured images."

This investigation and arrest are part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 10,000 individuals, including more than 117 in Ohio.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Clemmens, Southern District of Ohio prosecuted this case.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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