DuBois Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Child Pornography

JOHNSTOWN, Pa., JANUARY 10, 2011 – A resident of Dubois, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to six years in prison and 20 years supervised release on his conviction of possessing child pornography, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Richard W. Prew, 38.

According to information presented to the court, on Feb. 5, 2010, Prew knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended BCI West/Computer Crime of the Pa. State Police and the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Prew.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.