Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced that ANDREW EASTERLY, age 20, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty yesterday before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson to transporting child pornography. Easterly faces a significant period of imprisonment when sentenced on March 29, 2018.
According to Easterly’s admissions to the Court in connection with his guilty plea, beginning in March 2015, and continuing until May 2015, Easterly used his computer and other electronic devices to upload sexually explicit images of children to an online social media website, which allowed his followers and other members of the public to access, view, and share the images. Law enforcement recovered multiple electronic devices used by Easterly to store more than 300 images and videos of sexually explicit depictions of prepubescent minors and toddlers, as well as images produced by Easterly depicting minor victims in various states of nudity and intimate behaviors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “Fighting against the sexual exploitation of children requires the kind of dedicated federal, state, and local effort exemplified in this matter. Our office looks forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with our partners at the Attorney General’s Office, HSI, BRPD, and EBRSO to make our community, state, and nation a safer place. My gratitude to the prosecutors and agents who worked diligently on this important matter."
“We are pleased that this case, initiated by our office’s investigation, has resulted in a guilty plea by Mr. Easterly for the transportation of child pornography," said Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. “Today’s conviction is a direct result of the hard-work and communication with our law enforcement partners. Our office will continue our efforts to find child predators and bring them to justice."
This matter was a joint effort involving the United States Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office - Cyber Crime Unit, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie A. Flowers, Jr.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
