On June 22, 2006, GARDNER entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of child pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B). The defendant possessed more than 300 images of child pornography.

In the Tampa, Florida area, an individual using the screen name "teenboy 18" distributed child pornography in interstate commerce by transmitting such material via the internet. A search of the computer belonging to "teenboy 18" revealed e-mail addresses belonging to GARDNER. The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed GARDNER in Warner Robins, Georgia. At that time, GARDNER admitted using his computer to obtain child pornography, and gave the agents consent to remove his computer and a compact disc. FBI analysis of the compact disc revealed depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

GARDNER received a sentence of sixty (60) months imprisonment, to be followed by five (5) years of supervised release. There is no parole in the Federal System.

The charges against GARDNER arose from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Harry J. Fox, Jr.

Any questions concerning this matter should be addressed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney's Office, at (478) 621-2602.