1/31/11 – Western New York RCFL Aids Successful Project Safe Childhood Prosecution

In July 2010, Jason Willis, 39, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of transporting child pornography and faced a maximum penalty of 20 years on prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Six months later, he was sentenced to 11 years behind bars for his crimes against children. The Western New York RCFL (WNYRCFL) examined Willis' computer after Special Agents with the FBI and New York State Police executed a search warrant of his computer. WNYRCFL Examiners located numerous child pornography images and files on Willis' computer, which he traded over the Internet. The investigation was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. This initiative was created by the U.S. Attorney General in 2006 to protect children from online exploitation and abuse, and brings together federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute people who possess or distribute child pornography.

It is a federal crime to knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or access with intent to view child pornography (18 U.S.C. §2252). To report someone for possessing child pornography, contact your local police department, FBI office, or call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) Cybertip line on 1-800-843-5678. Click here to read NCMEC's child pornography fact sheet.

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