PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Paul R. Bloom, 31, of Crestview, with production, receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The indictment was announced today by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Count One of the indictment alleges that, in February 2015, Bloom knowingly used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. Count Two alleges that, between March 2012 and April 2015, Bloom received, and attempted to receive, images and videos containing child pornography. Count Three alleges that, between February and March 2015, Bloom knowingly distributed, and attempted to distribute, images and videos of child pornography. Finally, Count Four alleges that, in April 2015, Bloom knowingly possessed material containing images and videos of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor under age 12.
Bloom was arraigned in federal court today before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy at the United States Courthouse, in Pensacola, Florida. The trial is scheduled for July 6, 2015.
The case is being investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pensacola Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges in this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
For more information, contact:
Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, amy.alexander@usdoj.gov
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
