Don Francis Jr, Child Pornography Transportation, Louisiana 2014

A former school teacher from Metairie, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Don Francis, Jr., 45, entered a guilty plea in connection with the transportation of child pornography.

According to the investigation, on February 5, 2014, special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted the Louisiana Department of Justice and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant at Francis’s residence. HSI computer forensic agents located 5,378 images and 362 videos depicting the sexual victimization of children on Francis’s computer.

These images and videos included depictions of children as young as infants being sexually exploited. The investigation revealed the disturbing extent of Francis’s involvement in the sexual exploitation of children.

Francis faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of fifteen years, followed by up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine pursuant to his plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for August 3, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite praised the work of the special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-HSI, the Louisiana Department of Justice, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. 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.

Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is in charge of the prosecution.

The community can learn more about Project Safe Childhood and internet safety education at www.usdoj.gov/psc and by clicking on the tab ‘resources.’

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