Grady W. Clark III, 38, of New Orleans, is back behind bars and facing federal charges after being indicted on child pornography possession charges. The announcement came today from U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite, marking the latest chapter in a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior rooted in the sexual exploitation of children.
According to court records, federal agents from U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at Clark’s residence on January 20, 2017. Inside, they seized a laptop, multiple thumb drives, and cellular phones loaded with images showing the sexual victimization of prepubescent children. The digital evidence was enough to trigger immediate arrest and federal detention following his court appearance.
This is not Clark’s first brush with the law over child exploitation. On October 30, 2012, he was convicted in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court for pornography involving juveniles—a prior conviction that now dramatically escalates his potential sentence. The system flagged him as a repeat offender, triggering mandatory sentencing enhancements under federal law.
If convicted, Clark faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison and up to twenty years behind bars. That’s followed by a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Prosecutors emphasize that the severity of the penalty reflects both the heinous nature of the crime and the failure of past punishment to deter repeat offenses.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in 2006 to combat the rising tide of child sexual exploitation. The program combines federal, state, and local law enforcement to track down offenders, dismantle networks, and rescue victims. Clark’s indictment underscores the program’s ongoing relevance in cities like New Orleans, where digital crimes often intersect with entrenched criminal histories.
U.S. Attorney Polite credited the collaborative effort of Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Police, New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation for their roles in building the case. Lead prosecutor Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, who also serves as Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Section Chief, is handling the prosecution. Polite reminded the public that the indictment is a formal charge, and Clark is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related Federal Cases
- Feds Indict Michael Stanley Clark in Child Porn Probe · Washington
- 2 New Orleans Men Arrested on 650+ Child Porn Charges · Louisiana
- Hinson Sentenced for Child Porn · Louisiana
- Thomas Hanes Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges · Louisiana
- Daniel Lee Brown Gets 10 Years for Receiving Child Porn · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes