COLUMBUS – A man who pled guilty in September for child pornography was sentenced to 121 months in a federal prison Wednesday, said Charles “Charlie” E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Steven Derek Dukes, 35, of Mauk, Georgia, located about 30 miles away from Columbus, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Clay D. Land on January 2, 2019. As a condition of his sentencing, Mr. Dukes will be required to register as a sex offender and will also have ten (10) years supervised release.

Mr. Dukes admitted that he had exchanged emails with an individual under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The two discussed their past sexual experiences and fantasies involving young boys.  Mr. Dukes also admitted to exchanging files of child pornography with the individual under FBI investigation.  On May 5, 2018, FBI agents executed a search warrant and seized Mr. Dukes’ computer.  Subsequent forensic analysis revealed numerous depictions of child pornography on electronic devices seized from Mr. Dukes’ residence. Mr. Dukes waived his Miranda rights and confessed to receiving child pornography. He pled guilty to one count of Receipt of Child Pornography in front of Judge Land on September 5, 2018.

“Sex crimes involving children are despicable, and the use of pornographic images of kids for a person’s sexual gratification is abusive and only proliferates this sick business,” said Charles Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.  “Mr. Dukes’ case required skilled investigators to piece together his involvement in child porn. We will track down and prosecute criminals engaging in child sex crimes. I want to commend the FBI for their good work.”  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case for the United States. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.

COLUMBUS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Steven Derek Dukes, age 35, of Mauk, Georgia, entered a guilty plea to Receipt of Child Pornography on September 5, 2018.  The plea was entered before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Clay D. Land in Columbus, Georgia.  This plea subjects Mr. Dukes to a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years, up to a maximum of twenty (20) years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.  Furthermore, as a condition of his supervised release after he is released from federal prison, Mr. Dukes shall register with the state sex offender registration agency in any state where Mr. Dukes resides, is employed, works, or is a student.

In his plea agreement, Mr. Dukes admitted that he had exchanged emails with an individual under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in which the two discussed their past sexual experiences and fantasies involving young boys.  Mr. Dukes also admitted to exchanging files of child pornography with the individual under FBI investigation.  On May 5, 2018, FBI agents executed a search warrant and seized Mr. Dukes’ computer.  Subsequent forensic analysis revealed numerous depictions of child pornography on electronic devices seized from Mr. Dukes’ residence.  Thereafter, Mr. Dukes waived his Miranda rights and confessed to sending, receiving, and possessing child pornography. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case for the United States.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.