Ronnie Nelson Clark, Child Pornography, North Carolina 2019

GREENSBORO – Ronnie Nelson Clark, 38, was sentenced to 327 months in prison for his role in a child pornography ring, according to a recent indictment.

Clark, a registered sex offender, was convicted of first-degree rape of a child in Montgomery County Superior Court in 2006 and sentenced to 173 months to 217 months of imprisonment. However, after completing his term, he was found to be in possession of child pornography.

A compliance check conducted by North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation and Parole officers in April 2019 revealed several text message conversations between Clark and underage girls, which were sexual in nature. The officers obtained search warrants for Clark’s cell phone and residence, seizing two of his cell phones and a tablet.

Further investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed images and videos of child pornography on one of Clark’s cell phones, as well as conversations with minors using social media applications, including Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and the default text messaging application.

Clark often asked the girls about their schools and their parents, referred to them as ‘baby girl,’ and asked if their age mattered. Many of the girls told him he was too old for them, but Clark continued to pursue them.

Following his release from prison, Clark will be subject to supervised release for life. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation and Parole, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kennedy Gates.

Clark’s actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the law and a willingness to exploit vulnerable children. His sentence serves as a reminder that those who engage in such crimes will be held accountable.

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