Grand Rapids, Michigan – July 17, 2007 – James Ryan Schneider, age 25, of Richland, Michigan, pleaded guilty on July 12, 2007, to a charge of distributing images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2), according to U.S. Attorney Charles R. Gross. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A date for sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The United States Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The investigation of this matter was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Prosecution of this case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru.

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