WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Bernie George Baier, 51, of Wheeling, was convicted in federal court today of possession of child pornography, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
An investigation by the Wheeling Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that Baier obtained a wireless Internet password from his neighbor. He then used the neighbor’s wireless Internet connection to download images of child pornography throughout late 2014.
Baier, who was convicted in 1995 of the felony offense of “Gross Sexual Imposition" in Belmont County, Ohio, pled guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography." He faces between 10 and 20 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000.00. Under the Fe¬¬¬deral Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
