Contact: Peggy Kelly McFarland, for United States Attorney Terrance P. Flynn, Western District of New York, 716-843-5877

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 25 /Standard Newswire/ -- Richard Harrold, 37, of North Wilkesboro, N.C., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William Skretny to a felony information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn of the Western District of New York announced.  Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles B. Wydysh, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was apprehended as a result of an FBI undercover operation through the Innocent Images National Initiative.  During the undercover operation, an FBI agent was contacted by the defendant on the Internet.  Following discussion, the defendant transmitted to the agent large quantities of child pornography on a number of occasions from 2004 through 2006.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  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, 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/.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Laurie Bennett.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 24, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. ET, in Buffalo, N.Y., in front of U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.