Indictment charges local man in child pornography

An indictment issued last week by a federal grand jury accuses a local man of using the internet to entice a minor into creating images of child pornography, which he then distributed to others.

Jay Earl Anderson allegedly coerced or enticed a girl younger than 18 into sexual activity April 14 and 15, according to Count 1 of a three-count indictment issued May 17 in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. The second count of Anderson's indictment alleges he persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual image of the conduct. The third count alleges distribution of child pornography April 18 using a social media platform to distribute an "image depicting a pubescent female engaged in sexually explicit conduct."

The government is seeking Anderson's forfeiture of digital cameras, CDs and DVDs, laptops, an Amazon Kindle, a Nook tablet, USB drives and other digital media.

The indictment's first count, coercion and enticement, is punishable by a minimum of 10 years to life in prison and includes the possibility of a $5,000 assessment. Sexual exploitation of children is punishable by a minimum of 15 years up to 30 years unless there is a prior conviction for a sexual offense.

With a prior conviction, the punishment range can be enhanced and a conviction for sexual exploitation of children includes a mandatory $5,000 assessment. Distribution of child pornography is punishable by five to 20 years, though the punishment range can be enhanced with a prior conviction for a sexual offense.

Texarkana lawyer Craig Henry was appointed to represent Anderson at his initial court appearance April 25 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven at a hearing in Texarkana's downtown federal building. Anderson is scheduled to appear before Craven for formal arraignment this week.

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