TULSA AREA BUSINESSMAN GUILTY OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

TULSA, Okla. - A Tulsa man, who previously owned a roller skating rink in Broken Arrow, Okla., pled guilty today to charges that he possessed and distributed child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney David E. O’Meilia of the Northern District of Oklahoma.

David A. Abston, 55, pleaded guilty to the Internet distribution of numerous images and video files of child pornography and to the possession of over 200 video files of child pornography found on his home computer. Specifically, Abston pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of child pornography. Distribution of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.

Abston will also surrender and forfeit his home computer and his home in Tulsa.

Abston, who has been in custody since his arrest on Nov. 17, 2006, remains detained without bond following his plea of guilty. Sentencing is scheduled to be conducted before U.S. District Judge James H. Payne on June 27, 2007 after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan Morgan and Catherine Depew represented the government in the matter. The charges were the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Innocent Images Task Force which, in this case, included officers from the Broken Arrow Police Department, Bixby Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department.

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and our continuing efforts to target individuals who possess and distribute child pornography. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, 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.

For more information about the national Project Safe Childhood initiative, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.