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November 13, 2008
Houma man pleads guilty to possession of child pornography
NEW ORLEANS- A 32-year-old man pleaded guilty here yesterday to possession of child pornography following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led investigation.
Antonnio Pickett, 32, of Houma, Louisiana, was indicted on possession of child pornography charges in October 2007 after ICE special agents obtained and executed federal search warrants that led to the seizure of computers and thumb drives found in Pickett's possession in Venice, Louisiana.
A forensics analysis of the seized material revealed approximately 1,129 images depicting the sexual victimization of children.
Pickett admitted that he had purchased subscriptions to child pornography websites and that he would search for child pornography using the search terms "young hot Latina" and "illegal".
"This investigation is a clear indication of ICE's resolve to search out those who use the Internet to sexually exploit innocent children," said Michael A. Holt, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations New Orleans. "Some predators mistakenly believe that the anonymity of cyberspace shields them from scrutiny; in fact, their use of computers and the Internet have given us new tools to use in our enforcement efforts."
Pickett faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Upon his release from custody, he will be placed on supervised release up to a term of life, be required to give a DNA sample, and will have to register as a sex offender. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2009.
This case was investigated by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with the assistance of the Houma Police Department and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
The arrest of Antonnio Pickett was part of a nationwide initiative known as Operation Predator. Operation Predator protects our children from sexual predators, including those who travel across continents to have sex with minors. Internet child pornographers and criminal alien sex offenders and child traffickers are also a priority for ICE. Since the initiative was launched in July of 2003, there have been more than 11,500 individuals arrested nationwide.
Additional information about Operation Predator is available on the Web at www.ice.gov http://www.ice.gov. ICE encourages the reporting of suspected child predators 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 & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com.
-- ICE --
