Big Spring Man Guilty of Receiving Child Pornography

LUBBOCK, Texas – A former Big Spring resident has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, a federal offense that carries a significant prison sentence.

Christopher Aubrey Harlan, 27, appeared in federal court in Lubbock and pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography before U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings. Harlan, who is currently on bond, faces a statutory penalty of not less than five years, or more than 20 years, in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime of supervised release.

According to documents filed in the case, Harlan used his computer, as well as his roommate’s computer for a brief time, to access child pornography on various websites. He also used his cellphone to send and receive numerous images of child pornography.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims.

The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Big Spring Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy is in charge of the prosecution.

Harlan’s sentencing date will be set after a presentence investigation report is completed. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

Project Safe Childhood is a critical initiative that aims to protect children from the scourge of child sexual exploitation and abuse. As part of this initiative, the public can visit www.justice.gov/psc for more information about internet safety education and resources.

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