Joseph E. Suggs, Child Pornography Production, Illinois 2016

A federal jury in East St. Louis has found a Belleville man guilty of producing child pornography and attempted production of child pornography.

According to the Grimy Times, Joseph E. Suggs, 41, of Belleville, Illinois, was convicted of two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Evidence presented in court showed that on June 6, 2014, Suggs approached two juveniles in Bellevue Park and offered them money in exchange for nude photographs. A forensic examination of the camera Suggs possessed at the time of his arrest revealed photos of a 16-year-old juvenile's genitalia.

The investigation was conducted by the Belleville Police Department and the United States Secret Service Criminal Investigative Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Reppert and Angi Scott.

Suggs faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 8, 2016, in front of Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan.

This 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.

Defendant: Joseph E. Suggs

Criminal Charges: Two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography

City and State: Belleville, Illinois

Date: June 6, 2014 (crime date), September 8, 2016 (sentencing date)

Sentence: Minimum 15 years in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/jury-convicts-belleville-man-producing-child-pornography