SAVANNAH: Edmund A. Booth, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, today announced that James W. Brown, age 25 of Savannah, Georgia, has been indicted by the Federal Grand Jury in Savannah on ten (10) counts of possession, receipt, and transportation of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a). Brown, who had earlier been arrested and ordered detained on December 19, 2007, remains in custody. Brown formerly was a volunteer firefighter at the Southside Fire Department.

Booth noted that the indictment against Brown was the result of a joint investigative effort by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The lead investigators are Criminal Investigator Aaron Gonzalez of the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, Special Agent John Barry of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent Joshua Hayes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent Tom West of Immigration and Custom Enforcement. The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. Wade. The FBI is continuing the investigation of this case, and individuals with information should call 912-232-3716 and ask for Special Agent Hayes.

Booth emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Booth noted that the indictment against Brown was the result of a joint investigative effort by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The lead investigators are Criminal Investigator Aaron Gonzalez of the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, Special Agent John Barry of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent Joshua Hayes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent Tom West of Immigration and Custom Enforcement. The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. Wade. The FBI is continuing the investigation of this case, and individuals with information should call 912-232-3716 and ask for Special Agent Hayes.

Booth emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Booth commented that this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims.

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