Ryan P. Collins, Child Pornography, Ohio 2013

Dalton Man Charged with Child Pornography

A 31-year-old Dalton man has been charged with receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney, announced the charges against Ryan P. Collins, who is accused of knowingly receiving and distributing numerous computer files containing images of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct between November 17, 2012, and February 19, 2013.

The indictment also alleges that Collins possessed a computer containing child pornography on February 28, 2013.

The case was investigated by the Canton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Collins is entitled to a fair trial, in which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the sentence will be determined by the court after considering the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend on various factors, including the defendant’s prior record, role in the offense, and the unique characteristics of the violation.

The maximum sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

Ryan P. Collins, 31, of Dalton, Ohio, faces serious charges in connection with the alleged distribution and possession of child pornography.