GUNTERSVILLE MAN INDICTED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DANIEL NATHAN FORTENBERRY, 19, of Guntersville, Alabama, is charged in a two-count indictment with possession and distribution of child pornography.

He now faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment for possession of child pornography. In addition, FORTENBERRY faces imprisonment of not less than five years or a maximum of twenty years imprisonment for distribution of child pornography.

“It is imperative that we communicate openly with our children about the risk of internet use and monitor their online activities,” states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. “Computers with internet access should be placed in a common room in the house with parental controls. Monitoring software is also available and easily installed. Carefully review the information contained in a child’s screen name or internet profile, as predators will often use that information to target and pursue their victims.”

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a national initiative announced by U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales earlier this year. PSC encourages the use of multi-jurisdictional task forces to investigate and prosecute cases that involve the sexual exploitation of children over the Internet. Moreover, PSC urges that law enforcement efforts be complemented by community-wide campaigns to assist victims of exploitation and to educate parents, other adults, and children about Internet safety. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in every 33 children receives an unwanted sexual solicitation online each year. One in four children experiences unwanted exposure to sexually explicit material on the Internet each year. In addition, more than 20,000 images of child pornography are posted on the Internet every week.

“Every photograph of child pornography is evidence of a crime,” states Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division. “This is another example of our continuing focus on the protection of children, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”