Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Child Pornography Cases

San Diego, CA - In separate cases, two defendants entered guilty pleas today in federal court in San Diego to possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B), United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced.

William J. Hazlitt entered his guilty plea before United States Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr. According to the court records, Hazlitt admitted that on or about June 4, 2008, he possessed a computer containing over 600 images of minors, including one video file that depicted two teenagers engaging in sexually explicit conduct with each other. Prior to his arrest, Hazlitt was employed as a karate instructor. This case stems from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Keith E. Moore entered his guilty plea before United States Magistrate Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo. According to the court records, Moore admitted that on or about June 24, 2008, he possessed a computer containing over 600 images of minors, including one video file that depicted a young prepubescent female tied to a bench engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Prior to his arrest, Moore was employed as a heavy equipment operator. 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 Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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 being brought as part of the Department of Justice Project Safe Childhood (PSC), the FBI's Innocent Images National Initiative (IINI), and ICE’s Operation Predator. All are nationwide initiatives designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. For more information about PSC, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov , for additional information on IINI, please visit www.fbi.gov , and for additional information on Operation Predator, please visit www.ice.gov

Each guilty plea entered today before the Magistrate Judge is subject to final acceptance by United States District Court Judge John A. Houston during the sentencing hearings, scheduled for January 20, 2009, at 10:30 a.m.

DEFENDANTS
Case No. 08cr3447-JAH William Joseph Hazlitt
Case No. 08cr3538-JAH Keith Evan Moore

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B) (Possession of Child Pornography)
Maximum Penalties: 10 years’ incarceration, $250,000 fine, a minimum of 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and registration as a sex offender.

AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation Immigration and Customs Enforcement San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

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