A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on June 17, 2008, ROBERT EUGENE HOKE, age 63, of Robinson, Illinois, pleaded guilty to two counts involving child pornography in the United States District Court in Benton, Illinois.

HOKE pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment which charged that from October 8, 2005, to November 15, 2005, HOKE received images of child pornography that had been sent in interstate commerce over the Internet. HOKE also pleaded guilty to Count 2 of the Indictment which charged that from October 28, 2005, to November 29, 2005, HOKE possessed a video clip of child pornography that had been sent in interstate commerce on the Internet.

With respect to Count 1, HOKE faces a penalty of 5-20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release from 5 years to life.

With respect to Count 2, HOKE faces a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of from 5 years to life.

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.