Pennsylvania man charged with transportation, possession of child pornography

PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania man was charged April 4 with transportation and possession of child pornography. The charge is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Wei Qin, 23, of Philadelphia, was charged with one count each of transportation and possession of child pornography. If convicted, Qin faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

According to court records, Qin, a native and citizen of China, transported images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. HSI special agents allege that Qin possessed more than 600 images of child pornography.

This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI 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. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are 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 http://www.cybertipline.com.