Two Defendants Sentenced
in Child Pornography Cases
United States Attorney
Karen P. Hewitt announced the sentencing of two defendants
in two separate cases this week in federal court in
San Diego based upon their convictions for possession
of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United
States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B).
On July 14, 2008, Gregory Michael Box was sentenced
by United States District Court Judge John A. Houston
to serve 30 months in custody and 8 years of supervised
release following his release from prison; Judge Houston
also required Box to register as a sex offender. Box
pled guilty on February 21, 2008 to possessing a computer
containing between 10-150 images of minors engaging
in sexually explicit conduct. He also admitted to engaging
in sexually explicit online chats with several underage
females, some as young as twelve years old. The Court
remanded Box immediately into custody. At the time
of his arrest, Box was employed as a wine salesman.
This case stems from an investigation by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
On July 17, 2008, John Edward Grasberger was sentenced
by United States District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez
to serve 18 months in custody,10 years of supervised
release following his release from prison, and 3,000
hours of community service. Judge Benitez also imposed
a $150,000.00 fine and required Grasberger to register
as a sex offender. Grasberger pled guilty on February
14, 2008 to possessing a computer containing between
10-150 images of minors engaging in sexually explicit
conduct. Prior to his arrest, Grasberger was an active
member of the State Bar of California. He is no longer
eligible to practice law in the State of California.
This case stems from an investigation by Immigration
and Customs Enforcement.
The investigations were assisted by the San Diego
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose
members include the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Diego
Police Department, the San Diego County Sheriff’s
Department, the Chula Vista Police Department, the
United States Attorney’s Office, the San Diego
District Attorney’s Office, the United States
Postal Inspection Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative
Service, the United States Marshals Service, the Regional
Computer Forensics Laboratory, the Defense Criminal
Investigative Service, and the El Cajon Police Department.
These cases are brought as part of Project Safe Childhood,
a nationwide initiative designed to protect children
from online exploitation and abuse. 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.
DEFENDANTS
Case No. 08cr0438-JAH
Gregory Michael Box
Pala, California
Case No. 08cr0375-BEN
John Edward Grasberger
La Mesa, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B)
(Possession of Child Pornography)
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
