Gretna Man Charged with Sex Crimes

KEITH JOSEPH MCGEE, age 29, of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged today in a three-count Indictment by a federal grand jury for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.

MCGEE was charged with one count of attempting to coerce a minor to produce images of sexually explicit conduct, one count of receiving sexually explicit images of a 14-year-old boy, and one count of receiving sexually explicit images from a 15-year-old boy. The indictment alleges that MCGEE attempted to coerce a minor to produce images of sexually explicit conduct, and that he knowingly received images of two minor boys.

The penalties for MCGEE’s alleged crimes are severe, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum penalty of 70 years. He also faces up to a life term of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Additionally, MCGEE may be required to register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Boente reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

The investigation was conducted by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of internet safety education and the need for vigilance in protecting our children from online predators.

The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

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