A South Carolina man today admitted his role in distributing images exploiting children for sexual stimulation, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
According to authorities, Rashad Russell, 28, of Bennettsville, South Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an indictment charging him with sexual assault of a child. Russell was previously arrested and charged by complaint on March 13th, and was indicted on April 6th.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between December 2017 and March 2018, Russell contacted a law enforcement officer working in an undercover capacity through Facebook messenger. The undercover officer’s Facebook profile purported to be a young mother living in New Jersey with an 8-year-old child.
Officials say on Jan. 8, 2018, Russell sent two images and one video of child pornography to the undercover officer, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.
The charge of distribution of images exploiting children for sexual stimulation carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29th.