News Releases

Illinois man sentenced to 20 years for child pornography

URBANA, Ill. - An Illinois man who distributed child pornography containing graphic images of rape, sadism and torture was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Friday. This sentencing resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Randy Maulding, 45, formerly of Tuscola, Ill., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey, Central District of Illinois, to the maximum sentence of 20 years for receiving, distributing and possessing images of child pornography.

Judge McCuskey also ordered that Maulding remain on supervised release for life after finishing his prison sentence. Maulding has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his bond was revoked in October 2007.

On Nov. 28, 2007, a jury convicted Maulding of the child pornography offenses. Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that the defendant's child pornography included images of sadistic behavior, rape and torture. Evidence was also presented that the defendant distributed child pornography through a peer-to-peer, file-sharing network.

"The sexually exploited victims of child pornography are devastated from these experiences throughout their lives," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. "This prison sentence brings some justice to the innocent victims of these crimes."

ICE was assisted in the investigation by the Decatur Police Department and the Illinois Attorney General's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin S. Bruce, Central District of Illinois, prosecuted the case.

The investigation into Maulding is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers, and foreign national predators whose crimes make them deportable. Launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 11,600 individuals through Operation Predator.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423. 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.