Ricky Merritt, 46, of Strasburg, Ohio, has been charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that from on or about August 19, 2013, through on or about February 3, 2014, Merritt knowingly received and distributed, by computer, numerous computer files, which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On April 17, 2014, images of child pornography were also found on his HP Compaq desktop computer.
If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the Court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carol M. Skutnik. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton Office. The investigation and prosecution of child pornography cases are a priority for the Department of Justice, and this case is a prime example of the efforts being made to protect children from exploitation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution will have to present evidence and prove that Merritt knowingly received, distributed, and possessed the child pornography, and that he did so with the intent to exploit minors.
The charges against Merritt are serious and carry significant penalties. Child pornography is a serious crime that involves the exploitation of minors, and those who engage in it can face severe consequences. The Department of Justice and the FBI are committed to investigating and prosecuting these types of cases, and to holding those who engage in child pornography accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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