For Immediate Release
FEBRUARY 9, 2007

Randy G. Massey, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on February 7, 2007, JUSTIN D. BAKER, age 20, of Vienna, Illinois, was charged in a seven-count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois.

Counts 1-6 charged BAKER with the production of child pornography.
Counts 1 and 2 charge that on February 19, 2006, BAKER did knowingly employ, use,

persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor under the age of eighteen to engage in sexually explicit conduct, specifically, oral-genital contact and masturbation, for the purpose of producing a video depiction of such conduct.

Counts 3 and 4 charge that on January 12, 2006, BAKER did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor under the age of eighteen to engage in sexually explicit conduct, specifically, oral-genital contact, for the purpose of producing a video depiction of such conduct.

Counts 5 and 6 charges that on July 26, 2004, BAKER did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor under the age of eighteen to engage in sexually explicit conduct, specifically, sexual intercourse and oral-genital contact, for the purpose of producing a video depiction of such conduct.

Count 7 charges that on January 13, 2007, BAKER possessed child pornography that had been mailed, or shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

With respect to Count 7, the possible penalties are up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to a lifetime term of supervised release.

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 and the Vienna Police Department. In addition, the Johnson County States Attorney’s Office has assisted throughout the investigation and has filed state criminal charges against BAKER.

The case is being 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 possessing, producing, or trafficking in child pornography is encouraged to contact their local police department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.