Jason Wayne Hines, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Maryland 2016

Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland man has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography after investigators recovered over 1,000 images and 50 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct from his computer and phone.

Jason Wayne Hines, 37, formerly of Cumberland, Maryland, entered his guilty plea in federal court on Wednesday. According to prosecutors, Hines used his computer to download and share child pornography with others, and investigators recovered numerous images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct from his devices.

Forensic analysis of Hines’ laptop computer, storage media, and cell phone revealed a disturbing collection of child pornography, including videos that depicted Hines sexually abusing a prepubescent female as she slept. Hines’ internet search history also showed an interest in sexual activity with minors.

Hines’ guilty plea comes after an undercover investigation by the Maryland State Police, led by Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

As part of his plea agreement, Hines must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Hines and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Hines will be sentenced to between 17 ½ and 25 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the Maryland State Police, HSI-Baltimore, and the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Judson T. Mihok and Sandra Wilkinson, who are prosecuting the federal case.

The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about the initiative, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Related Federal Cases