Orange Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

BEAUMONT, Texas – The grim halls of justice have once again echoed with the sound of a guilty plea. A 32-year-old man from Orange, Texas, Jason Ryan Bickham, has stepped before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn to admit his guilt in a child pornography case.

Bickham, now aged 32, pleaded guilty on Sep. 17, 2014, after being charged with possession of child pornography. The charges stem from the shocking discovery of multiple images and videos on Bickham’s cellular phone, brought to light by an alert citizen who reported their concerns to law enforcement.

The Department of Justice has been relentless in its pursuit of those who exploit children online, spearheading Project Safe Childhood since 2006. This nationwide initiative is a formidable force against the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, with Bickham’s case being just one more battle in this ongoing war.

Under federal law, Bickham faces up to 20 years behind bars if sentenced at the maximum penalty. The sentencing date remains shrouded in mystery as the judicial system ponders an appropriate punishment for such a heinous crime.

This case has been meticulously investigated and prosecuted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with substantial support from local law enforcement agencies including the Orange Police Department and the Beaumont Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall LO. Fluke is leading the prosecution against Bickham.

For more information on Project Safe Childhood and its efforts to combat child exploitation, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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