Columbia, South Carolina ----United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that David Paul Fuller, age 55, of Greenwood, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, for possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Fuller to 120 months in the Bureau of Prisons.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that this case originated from the take down of a child pornography website in Switzerland. Agents were able to identify the IP address of Fuller as active on the website. This information and further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on Fuller’s home. When asked by agents if they would find child pornography on his computer, Fuller said “I hope not." Upon further questioning he admitted to visiting websites to view what he described as “questionable material." Agents seized his computers and subjected them to a forensic examination. The examination revealed hundreds of images of children, some of which were pre-pubescent, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Fuller has a prior child pornography conviction and was thus subject to a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 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
