GALVESTON, Texas – A 44-year old resident of Angleton has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions on one count each of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. John Kevin Waldrip pleaded guilty June 7, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. imposed sentences of 175, 175 and 120 months for the possession, receipt and distribution convictions, respectively. The sentences will run concurrently. Following completion of his 175-month sentence, Waldrip will be on supervised release for 10 years, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Waldrip came to the attention of law enforcement following an investigation into persons using the Internet to traffic in child pornography via peer-to-peer software. A detective with Pearland Police Department (PPD) was able to locate and identify a computer as offering to participate in the receipt of child pornography videos through a peer-to-peer network on the Internet. Through the investigation, it was determined that the computer was located at a residence in Angleton.
On June 30, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Angleton residence, during which time they seized a computer. A forensic examination on the computer revealed 81 videos and 512 images of child pornography involving minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the videos are of known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Waldrip will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
PPD and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
GALVESTON, Texas – A 44-year old resident of Angleton has entered a guilty plea to one count each of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.
John Kevin Waldrip came to the attention of law enforcement following an investigation into persons using the Internet to traffic in child pornography via peer-to-peer software. A detective with Pearland Police Department (PPD) was able to locate and identify a computer as offering to participate in the receipt of child pornography videos through a peer-to-peer network on the Internet. Through the investigation, it was determined that the computer was located at a residence in Angleton.
On June 30, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Angleton residence, during which time they seized a computer. A forensic examination on the computer revealed 81 videos and 512 images of child pornography involving minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the videos are of known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
U.S. District Judge George c. Hanks Jr., accepted the guilty plea and set sentencing for Aug. 16, 2017. At that time, Waldrip faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the distribution and receipt charges as well as another possible 10-year-maximum sentence for the possession conviction. Each conviction also carries a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
PPD and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
