Keith Matthew Wolf, a registered sex offender from Cumming, Georgia, was sentenced on Mar. 11 to ten years in federal prison for possessing a large collection of child sex abuse material. Wolf, who had previously served nearly a decade in state prison for child molestation and sexual exploitation of children, will also face 15 years of supervised release and must pay $19,000 in restitution.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address threats such as child exploitation and protect public safety. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency in the district and prioritizes prosecution of crimes including human trafficking and civil rights violations, according to the official website.
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, "Wolf is a predator with an appetite for innocent children. His decision to re-engage in exploitation shows his irrepressible depravity, disrespect for the law, and danger to the community. Thankfully, the Court’s sentence ensures Wolf’s removal from society for a decade. In the interim, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to protect children by using every asset available to hunt and punish these offenders." Hertzberg holds the position of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia according to the official website.
Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman said, "Once is too many times for child exploitation. As repeat offender, Wolf has demonstrated his inability or willingness to reform. Removing him from our community is the best way to enhance the safety of our children. We appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta for their continued support in holding criminals responsible for their actions." The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case after receiving tips from Google through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about images distributed via Google chat shortly after Wolf's release from state custody.
A search warrant at Wolf's residence led deputies to recover his cell phone containing hundreds of images and dozens of videos depicting sexual abuse of prepubescent children—including infants and toddlers—according to information presented in court.
The U.S. Attorney's office covers a region serving 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs and borders with Alabama and the Carolinas; it also coordinates cases with nationwide and international dimensions according to its official website.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in February 2006—to protect children from online exploitation by marshaling federal, state, and local resources against offenders.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted this case.
