East Texas man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography by sexually exploiting a child
BEAUMONT, Texas — A local man was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas.
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Newton and Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
John Dale Clark, 61, of Newton, was sentenced March 17 to 180 months in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. Clark was indicted by a federal grand jury Sept. 4, 2013, and pleaded guilty Oct. 28, 2014.
According to court information, on July 30, 2013, law enforcement officers were alerted to possible child exploitation taking place in Newton County. Federal search warrants were executed for Clark’s digital camera, memory card, an external thumb drive, and a thumb drive. A forensic examination of the seized items revealed images of child pornography, which Clark had produced.
"The sexual exploitation and abuse of a child is one of the most heinous acts imaginable," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI in Houston. "ICE will continue to work in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office and our local law enforcement partners to protect our communities from sexual predators. Simply put, we have an obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke, Eastern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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