The United States Attorney's Office

Los Angeles, CA - Former Orange County Superior Court Judge Ronald C. Kline was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison for possessing thousands of images of minor boys engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Kline, a 65-year-old Irvine resident, was sentenced this afternoon by United States District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall in Los Angeles.

Kline pleaded guilty in December 2005 to four counts of possession of child pornography, admitting that the images of child pornography were on his home computer, two computer floppy disks and one portable disk drive.

Kline was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2001 after law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at his home and discovered the child pornography. The investigation started after the Irvine Police Department received information that Kline kept a diary on his computer that chronicled his sexual interest in young boys. A joint investigation was then conducted by Irvine police and agents with the United States Customs Service, which is now part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Kline was a judge from 1995 until January 2003.

As a result of this case, Kline will be required to register as a sex offender once he is released from prison.

This case is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Irvine Police Department.

"Individuals who engage in child exploitation come from all walks of life," said Los Angeles ICE Special Agent in Charge Robert Schoch. "Identifying and investigating these individuals so that they can be brought to justice is one of ICE's most important responsibilities."

Release No. 07-024
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