BEAUMONT — A 27-year-old Lumberton, Texas, man was sentenced for possessing and distributing child pornography in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Orwig of the Eastern District of Texas announced today. John Toby Walker was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

“Child pornography is not a victimless crime,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Orwig. “Each photo or video clip represents an assault on the innocence of a living child, and memorializes unspeakable sexual abuse and exploitation. We are committed to protecting our children from these sexual predators.”

According to information presented in court, in May 2005, the Lumberton Police Department received information from a Lumberton resident that Walker was receiving and viewing pornographic images of children on his home computer. A state search warrant was obtained by the Lumberton Police Department and Walker’s home computer was seized on May 16, 2005. Special Agents from the FBI’s Beaumont office assisted in the investigation. FBI computer forensics experts found the computer contained approximately 653 images of child pornography. Walker was indicted in May 2005 and charged with using a computer to receive, transmit and possess pornographic images of minors.

On Sept. 21, 2006, Walker pled guilty to charges of possession of a computer that contained child pornography.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the City of Lumberton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created 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.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

CONTACT: Davilyn Brackin, 409-839-2538; cell: 409-553-9881

Source: U.S. Department of Justice