CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Tara Ponceroff, of Morgantown, West Virginia, had an initial appearance today to face multiple child pornography charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Ponceroff, age 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Wheeling on Monday, August 6, 2018, of one count of “Production of Child Pornography," one count of “Aiding and Abetting Production of Child Pornography," and two counts of “Transportation of Child Pornography." Ponceroff is accused of producing and distributing child pornography involving two children from November 2017 to January 2018 in Monongalia County.
Ponceroff faces up to 30 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the production and aiding counts. She faces up to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the transportation counts. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case is prosecuted 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 about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
