James K. Young, Receiving Child Pornography, Illinois 2020

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS – 2020

James K. Young, a 66-year-old man from Dupo, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving child pornography, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced today.

Young is also charged with five counts of distributing child pornography, but the United States has agreed to dismiss those charges at the sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for May 13, 2020, in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Young was discovered by law enforcement during an online, undercover investigation. On May 3, 2018, a federal search warrant was executed at Young’s home. His desktop computer was seized and found to contain 2,441 images of child pornography.

As part of his plea, Young admitted that he knowingly received child pornography on Nov. 7, 2017, and April 29, 2018. This admission comes as a result of the undercover investigation that led to his arrest.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Scott. 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.

The project aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab ‘resources.’

Young’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2020, in East St. Louis, Illinois. The outcome of this hearing will determine the extent of Young’s punishment for his crimes.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft emphasized the severity of the crimes committed by Young and the importance of protecting children from exploitation. ‘This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of child pornography and the importance of holding those who commit these crimes accountable,’ Weinhoeft said.

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