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March 25, 2008

PAOLA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

KANSAS CITY,, KAN. – Sterling Goddard, 48, Paola, Kan., pleaded guilty Monday to one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

Goddard was indicted in April 2007. The investigation of the case began Feb.19, 2004, when an FBI agent obtained consent to assume the online identity of several subjects who had been members of Yahoo! Groups dedicated to the online viewing, sharing and trading of child pornography.

On Feb. 23, 2004, the agent accessed a members-only group dedicated to exchanging child pornography and encountered a user identified as al_tung4u2003. The user had posted images and videos of child pornography for the group to see.

Investigators identified the user as Goddard. When they served a search warrant on his home in Paola they seized two computers, 35 floppy disks, compact discs, and a VHS tape. Analysis of the materials determined Goddard possessed thousands of images of child pornography.

Sentencing is set for June 23. He faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years, and a fine up to $250,000, on the charge of distributing child pornography; and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession charge. U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.