SIX INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Six individuals from a cross section of the Northern District of Alabama have been indicted for child pornography. "The investigations of each of the above cases represents countless efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement to rid communities of child predators,"states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin as she announced the indictments. Specifically, those indicted are:

FRANKLIN WAYNE DRUMMONDS, 57, of Southside, Alabama, located in Etowah County, is charged with one count of possession of pornographic images depicting young children. A second count in the indictment seeks criminal forfeiture. Special Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were led to DRUMMONDS after an investigation that began in California revealed DRUMMONDS was one of several individuals tied to a target being investigated in California for distribution of child pornography. A subsequent search of a computer belonging to DRUMMONDS revealed that he was in possession of several pornographic images depicting minors engaging in various sexual acts. DRUMMONDS faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. He faces fines of $250,000 on each count charged.

DOYLE LYNN MCLEMORE, 54, of Elkmont, Alabama located in Limestone County, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of receiving material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were led to MCLEMORE after a complaint was filed in Germany regarding an online company. From there the investigation went to a target in Michigan and subsequently led to MCLEMORE. A subsequent search of MCLEMORE'S computer revealed images of child pornography. MCLEMORE faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for possession of child pornography and not less than five years or more than twenty years in prison for receiving material involving sexual exploitation of minors. He additionally faces fines of $250,000 on each count.

DAVID ROBERT SHELTON, 43, of Birmingham, Alabama, located in Jefferson County, is charged with one count of possession child pornography and twelve counts of receipt of child pornography. Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were led to SHELTON after Hoover Police received a complaint from a film developing store. Subsequent investigation of SHELTON revealed child pornography images dating back to 11/22/2003. SHELTON faces ten years in prison for possession of child pornography, not less than five years in prison and not more than twenty years for receiving child pornography and fines of $250,000 on each count charged.

CHRISTOPHER GREGORY PATE, 30, of Boaz, Alabama, located in Etowah County, is charged with seven counts of child pornography. Two counts charge possession of child pornography and five counts charge receipt of child pornography. Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were led to PATE after an investigation began in Texas. Subsequently the investigation led to a search of PATE'S computer were the pornography images were revealed. PATE faces ten years in prison for possession of child pornography, not less than five years in prison and not more than twenty years for receiving child pornography and fines of $250,000 on each count charged.

JOHNATHAN PHILLIP PERRY, 24, of Clarksville, Tennessee, currently in federal custody in Jefferson County, Alabama, is charged with one count of using a computer to entice an individual under the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity and one count of traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person. Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested PERRY following an investigation. He is now facing a maximum sentence of not less than ten years imprisonment for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and not more than thirty years imprisonment for traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person. He additionally faces fines of $250,000 on each count.

One other person was indicted, however, the name and information pertaining to that case is withheld pending service of an arrest warrant.

"The internet provides elements that criminals love: a cloak of anonymity, speed of communication and global access to potential victims," adds U.S. Attorney Martin. She further stated that these cases are a 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 Attorney's 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Assistant United States Attorneys John H. England, III, Vincent Carroll, and Mary Stuart Burrell are prosecuting the unrelated child pornography matters.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.