The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Harrisburg today indicted Colonel Robert J. Rice, 56, of Carlisle, for possession and distribution of child pornography over the internet. Rice is a Colonel in the U.S. Army stationed at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the charges stem from an investigation by the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, conducted the initial investigation and is cooperating with federal authorities in this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
If convicted of both offenses, Rice faces up to 30 years in prison and fines of $500,000. The possession offense carries a maximum jail sentence of ten years and a maximum fine of $250,000. The distribution offense carries a mandatory minimum five-year jail sentence and a maximum jail sentence of twenty years along with a maximum fine of $250,000.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
