DAYTON - James Edward Risner III, 34, of New Carlisle, Ohio pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to producing and distributing child pornography involving a seven-year old victim.
Benjamin C. Glassman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly and Clark County Prosecuting Attorney D. Andrew Wilson announced the pleas entered Wednesday, September 14 before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon L. Ovington.
According to court documents, Risner engaged in various sexual activities with the victim at his home and business between July 2015 and November 2015, took pictures of the activities then shared the photos on various websites.
FBI agents and Clark County Sheriff’s deputies patrolling the Internet found the photos, traced them to Risner and arrested him in November 2015. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Risner’s plea agreement includes a sentencing range between 360 and 480 months in prison and a life term of supervised release following his prison term. U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black will determine whether or not to accept the terms of the plea agreement and if he does, will schedule a date for sentencing.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Sheriff Kelly’s Office, Assistant United States Attorneys Dwight Keller and Sheila Lafferty, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Smith from the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office, who are representing the United States in this case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
