Mark Edwin Cairnes, 51, Pleads Guilty to Advertising and Possessing Child Pornography

A Texas man has been found guilty of advertising and possessing child pornography, a disturbing crime that highlights the dark side of the internet. According to a recent plea deal, Mark Edwin Cairnes, of Jonestown, Texas, admitted to using an internet bulletin board to seek out images of child pornography. The 51-year-old man was identified through ‘Operation Joint Hammer,’ a global enforcement operation targeting transnational rings of child pornographers.

Cairnes was indicted on July 21, 2009, on one count of advertising child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to possessing tens of thousands of images of child pornography, including images of children engaged in sadistic and masochistic conduct.

The operation, which has led to the arrest of more than 60 people in the United States involved in the trade of child pornography, was initiated through evidence developed by European law enforcement and shared with U.S. counterparts by Europol and Interpol. The investigation is being handled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

At sentencing, Cairnes faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for advertising child pornography and a maximum of 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography. He also faces forfeiture of all seized property, up to a $250,000 fine and the possibility of a lifetime period of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for December 18, 2009.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Devlin of the Western District of Texas and Trial Attorney Alecia Riewerts Wolak of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

The ‘Operation Joint Hammer’ case highlights the need for increased awareness and action to combat the trade of child pornography. It serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies around the world are working together to bring perpetrators to justice.

As the investigation continues, it is clear that child pornography is a serious crime that has far-reaching consequences. The trade of child pornography is a threat to the safety and well-being of children everywhere, and it is up to us to take action to prevent it.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Devlin said, ‘The protection of children from exploitation and abuse is a top priority for this office.’ He added, ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who engage in this heinous crime.’

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Kenneth Ronald Jones, Sex Trafficking a Minor, Missouri 2017

Feb 27, 2017

Sex Crimes

Matthew Lane Durham, Child Sex Crimes, Oklahoma 2014

Jun 19, 2015

Sex Crimes

Maximiliano Cordova, Child Pornography, New Mexico 2013

Jan 26, 2015

Sex Crimes

Connor Brueggemann, Child Pornography, Missouri 2023

Nov 9, 2022