DAYTON, Ohio -- A local resident was sentenced in U.S. District Court here yesterday to 63 months imprisonment for possessing child pornography. Today's sentencing was announced by Gregory G. Lockhart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the Detroit Office of Investigations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Eric Moser Sr., 54, of Olentangy Rd. in Dayton, pleaded guilty on Feb. 6 to one count of possessing child pornography. Each of the sexually explicit images of child pornography had been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. The sentence was handed down Wednesday by Senior U.S. District Judge Walter Rice.

ICE agents obtained a search warrant for Moser’s residence acting on information they received from out of state. A forensic analysis of Moser’s computer revealed more than 600 pictures of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Moser’s sentence also requires him to perform 100 hours of community service and serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Moser must also register as a state sex offender and cannot have any contact with children. Moser will also undergo mental health counseling.

"Today's sentence should serve as a deterrent," Lockhart said. "Law enforcement and the courts will punish people for possessing abhorrent images such as child pornography, even if that person has no prior criminal record."

"This case reveals the disturbing truth that some adults will go to great lengths to sexually exploit children," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations covering Michigan and Ohio. "While we cannot restore innocence to those who were abused and exploited, we can make sure that justice is served. The cooperative efforts of Ohio law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors ensured that justice was indeed served on behalf of the victims."

Lockhart commended the ICE agents who conducted the investigation, and the Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwight Keller who prosecuted the case.

Moser’s arrest and his resulting five-year prison sentence are part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 8,300 individuals, including 97 in Ohio.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

-- ICE --