LAS VEGAS, Nev.–A Henderson, Nev., man was sentenced Thursday to 123 months in prison for possession of more than 600 images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada. As part of the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Lloyd D. George required the defendant to register as a sex offender.
“This case is a successful example of partnerships among a business, a nonprofit organization, and law enforcement in identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting a child sex predator,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “The child victims suffer for years following the exploitation. We will continue to use our combined resources to protect children from these heinous crimes.”
Daniel Robert Wardlaw, 23, pleaded guilty on Aug. 2, 2016, to possession of child pornography. He was charged on June 11, 2014. At the time of the crimes, Wardlaw was on state probation following a conviction for possession of child pornography.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, in December 2013 and February 2014, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from Instagram of suspected child pornography after Wardlaw uploaded images to the social networking site. The NCMEC forwarded the tips to law enforcement. During the execution of a search warrant of Wardlaw’s residence, law enforcement found more images of child pornography on computers, a Dropbox account, and an iPod. Law enforcement found evidence that Wardlaw exchanged child pornography with others and used his Dropbox account to store the images and videos. Wardlaw admitted that he possessed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The case was investigated by the FBI; and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina D. Silva.
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