Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that David Specyalski, age 47, of Mauldin, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks of Greenville accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement conducted a proactive investigation involving a file-sharing network used by individuals with an interest in child pornography. An undercover officer downloaded a video that Specyalski had available for sharing.
A federal search warrant was obtained and executed. A forensic exam of his computer revealed twelve videos of child pornography. Specyalski has a prior state child pornography possession conviction.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Specyalski can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for not less than 10 years and no more than 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents with ICE - Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
