ANCHORAGE MAN SENTENCED TO 42 MONTHS IN FEDERALPRISON FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Anchorage, Alaska – Acting United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, December 18, 2008, that Kevin Robert Gardner, of Anchorage, Alaska, has been sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 42 months on his convictions for four counts of possession of child pornography.

United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the sentence on Gardner, age 53.

According to information presented to the court by Assistant United States Attorney Audrey J. Renschen, Gardner possessed child pornography on desktop and laptop computers, as well as on two flash drives. The images depicted the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children, some of which were obtained commercially from pay-to-view websites.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Beistline described Gardner’s conduct as financing a “vile industry that profits off innocence” and “encourages the victimization of children.” In addition to sentencing Gardner to 42 months of prison, Judge Beistline imposed a $5,000 fine, $400 in special assessments, and a 10-year term of supervised release, during which Gardner is required to participate in sex offender treatment, and restrict his use of computers and contact with children under 18 years of age.

Ms. Loeffler commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their joint investigation leading to Gardner’s successful prosecution.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.