DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Troy A. Eid FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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COLORADO SPRINGS RESIDENT SENTENCED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
DENVER – Troy A. Eid, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, and Richard C. Powers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Denver Office, announced that EDWARD J. BOCHNIA, JR., age 67, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Lewis T. Babcock to serve 168 months (14 years) in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for the possession of child pornography. According to the stipulated facts outlined in the plea agreement, the New York City FBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated a child pornography investigation involving a computer server in Wallkill, New York. The FBI’s investigation revealed that the computer was hosting electronic images and movies depicting child pornography. Based on leads from the New York City investigation, the FBI with assistance from the Colorado Springs Police Department, executed a search warrant at BOCHNIA’s apartment in Colorado Springs. Agents and officers seized the defendant’s personal computer and numerous storage disks. Forensic analysis of the seized materials revealed the defendant possessed more than 600 images of child pornography, including images of children portrayed in sadistic conduct or other depictions of violence, with some of the material involving minors who were under 12 years old. “Every time someone views an image containing child pornography the child pictured in that image is again victimized,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid. “The severe sentence imposed today takes into account the defendant’s prior child pornography conviction. This case illustrates how likely it is that offenders with a sexual interest in children will re-offend.” “Children should be protected through the investigation and prosecution of any alleged child predator. The sentencing of BOCHNIA reflects the commitment of the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office to apprehend and bring to justice those who violate the law through the possession of child pornography. Such measures are necessary to ensure the safety of our communities and our most precious resource – our children.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Denver and New York, with assistance from the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). BOCHNIA is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Habib Nasrullah. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse created and launched in February 2006 by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales. 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/. In Colorado the partners for Project Safe Childhood include: The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Postal Inspection Service.
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