LAKE CHARLES, La. -United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Elliot R. Duke, 29, of Leesville, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to receiving child pornography.
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, after receiving information that child pornography was on Duke’s computer, law enforcement personnel searched Duke’s residence on May 14, 2013. The search revealed there was child pornography on Duke’s laptop, and upon further investigation, agents also discovered that Duke had been discussing and trading child pornography with other persons through email. A forensic examination of Duke’s laptop was conducted and revealed approximately 168 videos and 187 still images of child pornography.
Duke faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture, and a lifetime of supervised release for receiving child pornography. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing has been set for April 24, 2014.
Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
