Michael Wunderlee, Child Pornography, Missouri 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Nixa man has been convicted of receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet.

Michael Wunderlee, 41, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charge contained in a Nov. 6, 2013, federal indictment.

By pleading guilty, Wunderlee admitted to receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet between May 13, 2010, and Feb. 25, 2012.

Federal agents from the National Park Service and the FBI executed a search warrant at Wunderlee’s residence as part of an investigation into another person’s use of a stolen government credit card number of a National Park Service employee. Wunderlee’s computer was seized and transported for forensic examination, which found approximately 139 videos and approximately 23 images of child pornography, including pre-pubescent victims.

Wunderlee used file-sharing software to download the images and videos. The software automatically saved the downloaded images and videos to a share folder on his computer and made them available to be downloaded by others using the program.

Wunderlee was arrested on Sept. 30, 2013, and released on bond on Nov. 22, 2013, which included home detention and location monitoring. However, on or about Feb. 28, 2014, in order to avoid prosecution, Wunderlee absconded after cashing out his retirement account at Cox Hospital and leaving a note indicating he intended to commit suicide. On Aug. 6, 2014, FBI agents arrested Wunderlee at a home in Spotsylvania, Va.

Under federal statutes, Wunderlee is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI and the National Park Service.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Defendant Name: Michael Wunderlee

Criminal Charges: Receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet

City and State: Nixa, Missouri

Exact Date: May 13, 2010 – Feb. 25, 2012 (crime date), Sept. 30, 2013 (arrest date)

Sentence or Outcome: Subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000

Dollar Amounts: $250,000

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