U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BRIAN GRACO, age 35, of Slidell, pled guilty today to receiving images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, on May 27, 2014, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at GRACO’S residence, during which time they seized several electronic items, including three computers, one external digital storage device, and three removable digital storage devices. A preliminary review of the electronic devices determined that a desktop computer contained images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of children. A more intensive forensic examination of the device revealed that GRACO had used the desktop computer to access Internet websites and networks devoted to the advertisement and distribution of child pornography. Between June 4, 2013 and May 27, 2014, GRACO discussed matters pertinent to the sexual abuse of children to search for, download, and save images and videos of children as young as five (5)-years-old engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The forensic examination determined that GRACO possessed at least10,264 images and 130 videos of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. After downloading the images and videos, GRACO stored them on special folders he created on his computer.
GRACO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years and a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He can also be required to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon set sentencing for Sept. 29, 2016.
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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources."
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and J. Ryan McLaren are in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
