Randy G. Massey, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on October 5, 2006, ROBERT EUGENE HOKE, age 61, of Robinson, Illinois, was named in a one count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois.

Count 1 charges that from on or about September 26, 2005, to November 29, 2005, in Crawford County, HOKE possessed child pornography.

With respect to Count 1, HOKE faces a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Robinson Police Department, and the Marion Police Department.

The United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement authorities, is actively investigating and prosecuting individuals who produce, distribute, or possess child pornography. Anyone with information concerning the use of the Internet for the purposes of possessing, producing, or trafficking in child pornography is encouraged to contact their local police department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.