Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A Brook Park resident, Ernest A. Fuller II, was sentenced on April 1 to 14 years in federal prison for trafficking nearly 2,000 images of child sexual abuse material over the internet.
Fuller, age 53, pleaded guilty in December to charges of receipt and distribution of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson handed down the sentence and ordered Fuller to serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay $71,500 in restitution to victims.
According to court documents, Fuller distributed child sexual abuse materials using peer-to-peer computer applications over a period spanning almost three years. During a search at his home, authorities seized electronic devices that contained hundreds of saved images depicting the rape, torture, and abuse of children from toddlers to teenagers. Most files involved minors under the age of twelve. Investigators also found evidence that Fuller used software programs to regularly delete these files and optimize storage space. CDs containing illegal material and a child-sized sex toy were also recovered from his residence.
The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division with prosecution by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative designed to combat online child exploitation—led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country in coordination with federal, state, and local agencies.
Individuals who wish to report suspected child exploitation can visit cybertipline.org or call 1-800-843-5678 at any time.
