United States of America v. William Justin Lewis

Raleigh, North Carolina, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with charged with distribution of child pornography.

Undercover agents with the FBI investigated online distributors and traders of CSAM when agents located a chat room where a user, later identified as William Justin Lewis, age 55, uploaded numerous disturbing images and videos of CSAM. Agents traced the IP address back to the Louisburg residence where Lewis lived. The FBI, with the assistance of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on Lewis’s residence and seized numerous digital devices that contained hundreds of disgusting CSAM videos and images. At the time of the crimes, Lewis worked at a Wal-Mart in Louisburg as a personal shopper.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood partners federal, state, and local resources locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Dodson and Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment as to Count 1 with recommendations made - 30 years supervised release as to Count 1 with special conditions imposed - No fine - $100 special assessment - Restitution will remain open for 90 days while parties confirm. Parties will communicate within 75 days if restitution hearing is needed - Order of forfeiture - Counts 2-6 Dismissed.