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August 9, 2012

Jefferson County man guilty of child pornography violations

The Port Arthur News

— A 47-year-old Beaumont, Texas man has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Charles Wilburn Odom pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on Aug. 7, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to information presented in court, on Oct. 28, 2010, federal officials conducted a search warrant at Odom’s residence in Beaumont. Several computers and digital storage were seized during the search and found to contain more than 140 videos and more than 79 images of child pornography.  Some of the material would be considered sadistic or masochistic and some depicted prepubescent children under the age of 12.  Odom was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2012.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Odom faces up to 10 years in federal prison.  A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by ICE/HSI, Beaumont Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.

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