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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Office
of The United
States Attorney |
| Nine
Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208, Telephone (618)
628-3700 |
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OLNEY WOMAN CONVICTED FOR DESTROYING EVIDENCE IN CHILD PORN INVESTIGATION
Edward
E. McNally, United States Attorney
for the Southern District of Illinois,
announced today that on February 1, 2006, AMANDA WORTMAN, age
22, of Olney, Illinois, was convicted following a two
day jury trial in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. WORTMAN was
convicted of knowingly
destroying physical evidence with the intent to impede, obstruct, and
influence the investigation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The
crime occurred on February 22, 2005, in Olney, Illinois.
The
evidence at trial showed that the FBI was conducting an investigation of RYAN
WILLIAM McDONALD, age
26, of Olney, Illinois,
for charges involving child pornography. During the course of
that investigation, WORTMAN destroyed a CD-ROM which was believed
to contain child pornography, with the intent to impede, obstruct,
and influence the FBI investigation. Sentencing
is set for WORTMAN on May 4, 2006, in the United States Courthouse
in Benton, Illinois. WORTMAN faces a maximum penalty of twenty
years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of up to four years
of supervised release.
McDONALD had
previously pleaded guilty on January 26, 2006, to one count of receiving
child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, and
one count of knowingly destroying physical evidence, with the intent
to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. His
sentencing is scheduled for April 27, 2006, in the United States Courthouse
in Benton, Illinois.
With
respect to the charge of receiving child pornography, McDONALD faces
possible penalties of a term of imprisonment of up to 15 years, a fine
of not more than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3
years.
With
respect to the two counts of possessing child pornography, McDONALD faces
possible penalties of a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine
of not more than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3
years.
With
respect to the count of destroying evidence, McDONALD faces possible
penalties of a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine of not more
than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 4 years.
The
investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
and the Richland County Sheriff=s
Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney
George A. Norwood.
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 trafficking in child pornography
is encouraged to contact their local police department or the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.